Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) to defend fifth court appeal in Malaysia

• Lynas Rare Earths (LYC) will defend an appeal by activists challenging the renewal of its subsidiary’s fourth operating licence in Malaysia
• In 2019 the High Court dismissed judicial review proceedings launched by activists questioning the Government’s process for renewing the licence
• The Lynas Advance Materials Plant has come under considerable scrutiny by locals concerned by the low-level radioactive waste produced by the facility
• Four independent scientific reviews have deemed the plant be “low-risk” and compliant with relevant laws and regulations
• Shares in Lynas Rare Earths are trading 1.90 per cent up at $6.45 at 11:00 am AEST

Activists in Malaysia have lodged a further notice of appeal challenging the renewal of Lynas Rare Earths’ (LYC) fourth operating licence.

Back in August 2019, the High Court of Malaysia dismissed judicial review proceedings commenced by anti-Lynas activists.

At the time, the group sought a review of the processes followed by the Malaysian Government in reaching its decision to renew the licence, which has allowed LYC’s subsidiary, Lynas Malaysia, to continue operating its refinery.

Located near Kuantan, Pahang, the Lynas Advance Materials Plant (LAMP) has come under considerable scrutiny in recent years from locals concerned by the low-level radioactive waste produced by the facility and potential implications for residents’ health and the environment.

In a statement this morning, LYC said the company would defend the latest appeal, which marks the fifth time a court challenge has been lodged, with all previous attempts dismissed.

According to Lynas, the company has been the subject of four independent scientific reviews, including two reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Malaysian Government’s 2018 Executive Review Committee.

These reviews have deemed the plant to be “low-risk” and compliant with relevant laws and regulations.

The LAMP facility is currently operating under its fifth operating licence, granted in February, 2020, with strict COVID-19 health and safety measures in place for workers.

Shares in Lynas Rare Earths were trading 1.90 per cent up at $6.45 at 11:00 am AEST.