Poor Radioactive Waste Handling at Malaysian Rare Earth Refinery

German environmental research group, the Oeko-Institute has published a report criticising Australian Rare Earth mining company, Lynas Corporation's refining facility in Malaysia which is critical of its environmental impact and its poor storage of radioactive wastes.

According to the researchers, the storage of radioactive and toxic wastes on site does not prevent leachate from leaving the facility and entering ground and groundwater.

The report, conducted on behalf of the Malaysian NGO SMSL, found that the site lacks a sustainable concept for the long-term disposal of radioactive wastes under acceptable conditions.

The facility in Kuantan, Malaysia refines ore concentrate for rare earth metals. These strategic metals are used to produce catalysts, nickel metal hydride batteries and permanent magnets. The Institute point out that a number of emerging key- and future-technologies depends from the supply of these rare earths.

However, the ore concentrate being refined at the site also contains toxic and radioactive constituents such as Thorium.

The Oeko-Institute said that it was commissioned to perform a study to check whether the processing of the ore leads to hazardous emissions from the plant or whether dangerous waste will remain in Malaysia.

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