KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (LPTA) has updated the current terms and conditions of Lynas’ operating licence, which expires in March 2026, including the permission to import raw materials containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM).
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in a statement today, said the consideration made last Monday (Oct 23) also allowed Cracking and Leaching (C&L) activities to continue subject to certain conditions.
“Lynas must ensure the radioactive content in the Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue is below one becquerel per gram (Bq/g) through a research and development (R&D) programme led by local experts.
“The decision by LPTA was made based on the findings of preliminary research at the laboratory level which showed that thorium radioactive material can be extracted from the WLP residue,” he said.
With this development, he said, the operations comply with legal controls and protect the interests of the people.
Subsequently, the country will be able to attract high-value investments in the local rare earth industry to support the manufacturing industry of advanced high-tech materials, he added.
