The Lynas Fact Sheet

The Lynas Fact Sheet Note This Fact Sheet is updated regularly. The break down update was made on 2nd June 2011 archaic Earths 1. Despite their name, rarified earth elements are relatively plentiful in the earths crust 2. 3. barely are more difficult to mine and withdraw than many other(a) metals because of their chemical properties and geographical dispersion, making them relatively more expensive to extract. Rare earth metals are employ in the manufacture of a colossal variety of products including catalytic converters, wind turbines, hybrid car batteries, disk drives, energetic phones, and flat screen displays.Worldwide demand for rare earths is increasing rapidly and is expect to outstrip supply in the future. China currently produces about 97% of the worlds supply. Rare Earths & Radioactivity 1. The extraction of rare earths raises a flesh of environmental and safety concerns 2. 3. 4. because the ore in which rare earths are found are frequently associated with minera ls containing radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium. Health and safety issues that invite to be addressed include radiation protection for workers, the earthly concern and the environment, the transportation system of raw materials nd the management of dash off. Human beings are exposed to precise sm both levels of radioactivity in everyday life. Thorium, for example, is naturally present in soil, rocks, ground and surface water, bes and animals in very low concentrations. Ingestion of fare and water containing this level of radioactivity does not pose any menace to human wellness. The radiation exposure limit set by AELB for the normal is 1 mSv/year. The annual radiation exposure, in millisieverts (mSv)/year, in a number of passing(a) human activities is as follows i. Smoking a pack of cigarettes daily 0. 0 mSv ii. Medical or dental x-day 0. 39 mSv iii. Sleeping next to someone for 8 hours 0. 02 mSv iv. Watching television 2 hours daily 0. 01 mSv v. exploita tion a computer terminal 0. 001 mSv (Source United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, 1982, 1993, 2000 United Nations Environment Protection Agency US Department of Energy Health Physics Society) The Lynas Project 1. Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Lynas) is a wholly-owned adjuvant of Lynas Corporation 2. Ltd of Australia . Its business is the production and sale of rare earths and re freshd byproducts.Lynas plans to importee rare earth ore from its Mount Weld mine in Hesperian Australia, 3. 4. truck it to the port of Fremantle , send it by container ship to Kuantan, and act it at the Gebeng industrial Estate in Pahang. At Gebeng, the Lynas plant will extract Rare Earths from the ore for export. Lynas says waste from the extraction process will be used to produce commercially applicable products or stored in safe and doctor containers. Lynas says it chose to locate its plant at the Gebeng site because of i. Its proximity to Kuantan port ii.The handiness of gas, water and chemical supplies iii. The availability of skilled workers Manufacturing License 1. On 22 January 2008, Lynas was granted a manufacturing licence to produce rare 2. earth oxides and carbonates at Gebeng Industrial Estate, Kuantan. The approval was granted subject to a number of conditions, in particular, the need to comply with the provisions of the i. Atomic Energy Licensing cloak 1984 ii. environmental Quality Act 1974. Compliance Requirements 1. The Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 is administered by the Atomic Energy 2. 3. Licensing Board (AELB).Among other things, the AELB monitors and assesses the radiological impact of the Lynas object through all stages of look and operation. This includes matters relating to radiation protection (occupational, public and environmental), safety, waste management, transportation, decommissioning and remediation. The Department of Environment (DOE) is the implementing agency for the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The Act go verns issues related to the prevention, abatement and control of pollution and enhancement of the environment (other than radioactive material and radioactive waste).The safety standards and good practice requirements enforced by the two regulatory bodies are similar to or equivalent to those recognize inter home(a)ly. Compliance status 1. Lynas began planning and construction of its plant at Gebeng Industrial Estate, 2. Pahang soon after obtaining its manufacturing licence. In April 2011, the company announced that construction had reached the 40% stage and was on target for completion by September, 2011. The AELB confirms that Lynas has complied with all health and safety standards required of the company to date.A site licence and a construction licence move over been issued accordingly. The next stage in the multi-tiered approval process requires Lynas to expend to the AELB for a pre-operating licence. To date, the company has not made a obligingness to the AELB for this pu rpose. Upon receiving a pre-operating licence, the company will then be required to apply for and obtain an operating licence before it can commence honorable operations. 3. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report on the project was canonical by 4. 5. the Department of Environment on 15 February 2008.The Department confirms that Lynas has complied with all requirements of the EIA approval to date. The Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) conducted by the Nuklear Malaysia affirms that operation of the proposed Lynas plant would not pose any radiological risk to workers and ingredients of the public keep in the areas surrounding the site beyond what is allowed by the regulatory authorities. Nuklear Malaysia overly affirms that the projected radiation exposure levels in the Lynas plant for workers (average of 2 mSv/yr) and members of the public (0. 02 mSv/yr) are within the limits set by AELB. Decision to appoint autarkic Panel of International Experts 1. On 22 April, 20 11, however, following widespread public concern about the safety of 2. the project, the presidential term announced a conclusiveness to appoint an independent panel of international fulls to review all health and safety aspects of the project.Pending completion of this review, the Government also decided that i. No pre-operating evidence will be issued to Lynas by AELB. ii. There will be no importation of raw materials for the plant from Australia. ii. A review will be undertaken to ensure that construction of the facility at the site fully complies with national and international safety standards. Independent Panel of International Experts 1. In late April 2011, the Government approached the International Atomic Energy 2. 3. Agency (IAEA) in capital of Austria , Austria , for assistance to appoint an expert team to i. Review Lynas compliance with germane(predicate) International Safety Standards and Good Practices, and ii. Provide an independent expert sight on safety issues , in particular, those relating to radiation safety.The scope of the review include i. Radiation protection (workplace, public, environment) ii. Safety assessment iii. Waste Management iv. conveyance of title v. Decommissioning and environmental remediation On 13 whitethorn, 2011, the Government announced enlarge of the IAEA-appointed panel. The panel consists of a leader and nine members four from the IAEA, and five from IAEA member countries. All panel members are recognised experts in their respective 4. 5. 6. 7. disciplines and have knowledge of IAEA standards, in particular, those relating to rare earth processing.Details of individual members of the panel The expert panel began the on-site component of its work on 29 May 2011. During its six-day visit, the panel has scheduled to meet with government officials and representatives of Lynas, and receive representations from members of the public, including residents, community associations, non-governmental organisations and p aid bodies. The panel is scheduled to complete its work and submit its report to the Government by 30 June 2011. The Government has announced that the report will be made public.