AELB: We will hold Lynas to its export pledge

Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) director-general Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan has clarified that the regulatory body will enforce Lynas' pledge to export all its waste in the form of commercial products overseas.

"The management and removal of residue is an integral part of the Temporary Operating Licence (TOL )conditions and agreements and is permanently documented in the licence document issued to Lynas on Sept 5, 2012.

"Issue of removal of residue being non-binding for Lynas, does not arise. It is legally binding and AELB will enforce it," he said in a press statement yesterday.

On Friday, Raja Abdul Aziz (left) had said that the removal of Lynas' Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue from Malaysia was "never part of the licence condition" even though it was an important factor that led to the TOL approval.

However, he had explained that AELB will look at "various steps and considerations" if Lynas broke its pledge.

In statement, Raja Abdul Aziz said Lynas had committed to the pledge in two letters of undertaking.

"The first was by Lynas Australia committing itself to remove the residue out of Malaysia, and the second by Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, reaffirming the same.

"This commitment was also publicly announced by Lynas in their various press statements notably on 27, 29 and 30 Aug 2012 which was reported extensively," he said.