Lynas’ Mt Weld Rare Earths Mines Safety Permits Outdated

The controversy now has hit home.

With Lynas Corp. still to fully arrest and win over the controversy surrounding its Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Malaysia, here comes yet another information that could possibly whip up a storm right where its home base is.

In a statement released to media news agencies worldwide, the Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia (ANAWA) is set to file a motion today, Mar. 6, at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to question the authenticity and effectiveness of the health and safety approvals issued to Lynas Corp. in reference to its Mt Weld rare earths mines in Western Australia.

According to the Free Malaysia Today, it was the Environmental Defenders Office of Australia that issued the media statement.

Marcus Atkinson, ANAWA spokesperson, alleged Lynas Corp. had made a number of alterations on the original health and safety approvals issued more than a decade ago for the operations of Mt Weld that did not undergo through the appropriate standard operating procedures relative to updating or modifying obsolete approvals.

"Lynas are currently operating under approvals issued to them 14 years ago," Atkinson said, noting the terms and conditions contained in the original approvals could possibly no longer hold true to this day, specially "the amounts of radioactive materials being transported from Mt Weld through Fremantle Port."

The Australian non-governmental organization urged the EPA to scrutinize the present operations at Mt Weld versus was what contained in the original health and safety approvals.

"Health and safety issues need to be thoroughly examined to ensure the best protection of those involved in the handling of this material," he said.

"The approvals given 14 years ago need to be re-examined by the EPA and stronger regulations need to be put in place to ease the fears of the community."

ANAWA also called for "extremely stringent" safeguards to protect Fremantle residents and other communities along the transport routes.

"We have made many mistakes in the past with the transport of lead and other materials, and we need to ensure that the same mistakes are not made with rare earth products," Atkinson said.

Lynas Corp. is currently embroiled in a bitter battle against residents and political wannabes in Malaysia over its $200-million rare earths processing plant project in Gebeng, Kuantan.