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DILEMMA OF RARE EARTH PLANT


The radiation incident involving one the most developed countries had sparked an aggressive sentiment through out the whole world regarding to the quality of standard safety measures of nuclear energy plant.

Rare earth (RE), even though not as risky as the actual uranium ores, still deemed as a threat to the local people. A heated debate lingers in Gebeng, state of Pahang, Malaysia.  In terms of quantity, the material was abundant in the earth's crust. However, only few places in the world have the most high quality  RE ores such as Lynas's Mount Weld in Western Australia. For decades, China has become the most prominent RE producers in the world with 80% reserves of RE in the world (Y.Zhang, Q.J.Meng & N.Zhou, 2007)

The RE waste disposal procedure are a vital concern to scientist as it pose a serious threat to the food chain. RE ores and commodities, including the by-product and waste materials resulted from RE processing are naturally radioactive due the presence of thorium. In America, the thorium resulted from the RE processing posed as an expensive disposal to the country industry. ( Stephen B. Castor & James B Hedrick) 

The story of the controversial rare earth plant in Malaysia started way back in 1980's when Malaysia processed the RE ores (xenotime). The operation ceased in 1994 due to the failures of adhering the environmental regulation and also caused by the market collapse of xenotime ores. (Stephen B. Castor & James B Hedrick)


  The recent controversial issues was when the government approve Lynas's proposal to set up a new plant in Gebeng, Pahang. The total said investment reaching up to RM700 million / USD232 million. The rare earth will be processed in Gebeng and exported to Japan, Europe and America. Rare earth shall be used for smart phones, flat screen TV, hybrid cars and weaponry.

(Courtesy of USGS)

In defence, Lynas stated that the public exposure to the radiation level will be zero while the workers exposure level will be 0.2mSv/year (Max: 50mSv/year). Local people still opposing the plant and refuse to listen to the expert view due to the past incident at the RE plant in Bukit Merah, State of Perak,Malaysia. To date, it will be unlikely that the Lynas plant will be ceased the operation due to the government support. The dilemmas continues and the local people still stand to protest.

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