Malaysia Creates Body to Monitor Lynas Rare Earths Facility
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia has created a committee body to monitor the rare earths processing facility of Australian miner Lynas Corporation in line with the latter's compliance to the 31 recommendations with regards to its temporary operating license (TOL).
Majority of the functions of the Lynas Advance Material Project (LAMP) Project Operations Monitoring Committee focused on the safety of workers, the public and environment, including:
1. Management of security measures adopted;
2. Safety standards for all activities at the project site;
3. Level of disturbance and/or threats to the health of workers and/or surrounding community;
4. Level of impact on the environment and when necessary, to discuss and recommend appropriate mitigation measures;
5. Systems and equipment are functional and well maintained;
6. Maintenance of Lynas building structure, and
7. Public awareness and understanding of LAMP project.
It was the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that drafted the 31 recommendations which was created by the Malaysian federal government in 2012 at the height of the protest against the release of the TOL for the plant.
At the time it was established, the PSC was tasked to help raise awareness concerning the project, its' supposed radiation effects as well as contributions to the country's economic growth.
The 31 recommendations resulted following a series of public hearings and a working visit to the plant in Kuantan on May 2012, as well as views from mining experts.