Lynas not closing down, just no cracking and leaching after Dec 31

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is not shutting down Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd's operations but the company will not be allowed to carry out any more "cracking and leaching" (C&L) activities after Dec 31, says Chang Lih Kang.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said the decision to extend the period of the factory to carry out C&L activities for another six months is to avoid affecting the supply chain of rare earth at the global level.

Besides, the extension is also to give Lynas time to complete the company's C&L plant in Australia which is still under construction.

"Their plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia is almost ready and the extension of this period takes into account if they cannot complete (the plant) before July," he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the NGO@Makerthon Programme at the Muhibbah Community Complex, here on Tuesday (May 9).

Previously, the ministry announced that Lynas' appeal against dropping four licensing conditions set by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) was rejected after a hearing was held on April 28 on Lynas' appeal on the decision.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the government had given Lynas an extension of six months to allow the company to meet the licensing requirements to operate in the country.

Regarding the NGO@Makerthon programme, Chang said it aims to help improve the socio-economic status of 20 People's Housing Project (PPR) communities by continuously empowering Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) knowledge among them. – Bernama