This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on June 14, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd yesterday described as false claims that its operational residue storage is not in line with international and domestic regulations, noting that a government review committee had found it to be compliant. In a statement, its managing director and vice-president Datuk Mashal Ahmad and radiation safety, regulations and compliance general manager Prof Dr Ismail Bahari said the government’s 2018 executive review committee found Lynas Malaysia’s operations to be of low risk while also being compliant with both domestic and international regulations.

“The Pakatan Harapan government’s 2018 executive review committee found Lynas Malaysia’s operations are [of] low risk, compliant with relevant regulations, and that residue storage facilities are operated in a proper manner.

“These findings are consistent with several independent and scientific reviews, including by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” the duo said.

They explained that the company’s water leach purification (WLP) waste is classified as very low-level waste by the IAEA and can be stored in “landfill-type facilities”, with no requirements for high levels of containment and isolation. They highlighted that Lynas Malaysia has a G licence from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to temporarily store WLP waste on-site, with the AELB previously approving the group’s sitting plan for a permanent disposal facility. Currently, the WLP residue is being temporarily stored in dual-lined (high-density polyethylene and geosynthetic clay) residue storage facilities, with the facilities being monitored constantly and no leaks occurring.

In respect of its neutralisation underflow (NUF) residue, the substance is classified as scheduled waste in Malaysia. However, Lynas Malaysia cited studies made by the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia and Golder Associates which found the NUF residue to be a non-hazardous and non-toxic material that does not have significant health or environmental impact.