Regarding Lynas, much has been said about safety. Yet, other aspects such as environment and social still remain poorly articulated. This provides less confidence to people, which eventually leads to public protest. Fortunately, Akademi Sains Malaysia (ASM) has come to the rescue, with 84-page report on the rare earth elements industry (REE)
Besides the advantages of this multi-million dollar industry, the report also mentions the significant amount of pollutants that could be potentially generated from the plant. It is learned that for every of 100,000 tons of rare earth concentrates per year, 200 tons of Thorium dioxide (ThO2) residue is generated (extraction phase). Moreover, the production phase could cause several potential pollutants, specifically in air, water and radioactive residue; a ton of rare earth concentrates cause the emission of chemical gases (ie: containing fluoride, SO2, SO3) and dust (9600-12000 m3). As well, 75 m3 of acid-washing waste water and one ton of radioactive residue are generated.
Lynas operation in Gebeng, Pahang, potentially generates three types of residues [Water Leach Purification Residue (WLP), Flue Gas Desulphurisation Residue (FGD) and Neutralisation Underflow Residue (NUF)]. WLP contains mainly synthetic gypsum, while the NUF is rich in magnesium.
These residues are expected to contain thorium, uranium and their decay products at concentration of about 1600 ppm (Th) and 30 ppm (U) depending on the minerals used in the process. Beneficiation of the residues will be subjected to AELB Act 1984 and EQ Act 1974. If the thorium and uranium levels can be reduced to natural concentration defined by naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), WLP and NUF residues can be utilized for other industries.
However, to date, research shows a paucity of data on Rare Earth Elements (REE) recycling. Hence, a permanent safe and secure repository site is needed and therefore a location for the repository site will become an issue.
Peninsular Malaysia comprises an area of 131 587 km2 and it is composed of highland, floodplain and coastal zones. Geographically, Peninsular Malaysia is characterized by a dense network of streams and rivers which consists numerous individual drainage basins, most of their divides serving as state boundaries.
The main factor that controls the drainage pattern is the Titiwangsa mountain range, the backbone of the Peninsula, from southern Thailand running approximately south-southeast over a distance of 480 km and separating its eastern from western part. The rainfall regime over Peninsular Malaysia is mainly governed by the monsoon, with more than 2000 mm of rainfall annually.
Considering the facts above, a decision for a repository site in this relatively high populated region (~over 20 million people) is becoming more complicated. As Peninsular Malaysia is characterized by a dense network of streams and rivers with high annual rainfall, it could be said that water is the most challenging factor to REE waste management as it determines the fate and transport of pollutants if any accident occurs, and hence disaster.
Potential environmental implication of REE industries and great demand by the high tech industries worldwide, pose great challenges for the country while at the same time, the struggle to meet high standard of safety and advance environmental and social values is greatly expected.
In this regards, all parties involved (ie: government agencies) should come out with a more transparent, integrated and convincing cradle to grave plan, particularly on the waste management issues. This should involve the whole chains of the rare earth extraction industry to enhance the public confidence. AELB did a good move by asking Lynas to submit their Permanent Disposal Facility Plan (PDF) in any way necessary since tropical climate is of critical concern.
Looking at the size of Peninsular Malaysia, Gebeng could be thought as our own “backyard” regardless of where we live in Malaysia. After all, communication advancement is essential. Effective communication then provide the public with better convincing facts and hence avoid any mystification. The Malaysian people are welcome to any development effort provided the sustainable agenda is on the top list of priority concerns.
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