Lynas urges govt to reconsider radioactive waste production ban
KUANTAN - Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd has appealed to the government seeking it to reconsider its ban on producing additional radioactive waste after July 2023, its Human Resource, Admin and Organisational Development General Manager Jumaat Mansor said.
He said the decision would impact the company’s operations and might cause almost 2,000 Lynas employees to lose their jobs.
"Lynas has been operating for over 10 years, after this decision is implemented, workers, including local youth, would lose their means to support their families.
"We always wait for the opportunity to negotiate with the government at whatever time possible so that a better result can be achieved,” he said when met by reporters after holding a peaceful gathering at Balok, here today, which was attended by over 800 Lynas employees.
Bernama had reported on Feb 15 that Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said that the company’s operating licence could be cancelled if it failed to comply with the condition banning it from producing radioactive waste after July.
His statement comes after a decision by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board that rejected Lynas’ application to drop four licensing conditions relating to Water Leach Purification residue management after July 2023, cracking and leaching activities at Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) and the importation of lanthanide concentrate from Australia.
Chang said the decision meant that Lynas could not produce additional radioactive waste after July 2023 - BERNAMA
