Malaysia says Lynas Rare Earths must stop key processing activity

Government cites radioactivity, but Australian company says operation 'low risk'

20230216 Lynas

A truck carries rare-earth elements toward Lynas Rare Earths' Mount Weld processing plant in Western Australia. The company has a major plant in Malaysia. © Reuters

AMY CHEW, Contributing writer

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia has renewed the operating license of Lynas Rare Earths for three years, but the Australian company must cease some key activities later this year that authorities say generate radioactive waste.

The decision announced Wednesday means that Lynas, a major producer of rare earths -- key elements in numerous high-tech products -- must close the cracking and leaching portion of its Malaysian processing plant in July.

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