Lynas: Yeo’s meeting with Australia delayed
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin postponed her visit to Australia to discuss rare earth miner Lynas Corporation’s storage of radioactive waste in Malaysia.
A ministry spokesperson said the trip, scheduled for this week, has been delayed ‘pending further development.’
Yeo was slated to meet western Australia state’s minister for minister Bill Johnston tomorrow to discuss the removal of Lynas’ radioactive waste from Malaysia.
Johnston had earlier stressed that Western Australia will not accept the waste early this month.
Listed in Australia, Lynas is the only significant producer of rare earths outside of China. It is waiting for renewal of the operating licence for its US$800 million (RM3.3 billion) processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang.
The licence expires in September.
Yeo’s ministry had set conditions in December for Lynas to remove its waste stockpiles before it would renew its operating licence.
However, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said last month that Lynas will be allowed to operate in the country.
The decision drew mixed reaction from the public as Pakatan Harapan promised to shut down Lynas in its promise to the electorate before the general election.
The ministry has said it wants to discuss ways to manage the low-level radioactive residue produced by Lynas at its processing plant.
Reuters
