We refer to a number of recent press reports suggesting that Lynas Corporation would begin shipping rare earth ores. The reports repeat statements made earlier by a number of Kuantan residents who expressed concern that Lynas Corporation would begin shipping rare earth ores to Kuantan Port later this month.

Those who are familiar with the controversy surrounding the Lynas plant are aware that the company is not authorized to import any rare earth ores into Malaysia without the prior approval of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).

AELB has made it clear then that no such approval was ever given. For the importation of rare earth ores into Malaysia, a would-be importer has to be issued a two-stage authorisation. First, one has to apply and qualify for an AELB Class E license (Import/Export). Second and in addition to the possesion of the said Class E license, a licensed importer will have to further apply for AELB to issue an import permit to be submitted to the Malaysian Royal Customs to enable individual ore shipment to be imported into Malaysia. Again and at this point in time, Lynas was neither issued an AELB Class E license nor does it qualify yet for a permit to import rare earth ores into Malaysia.

On October 7 th , the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), AELB, and other relevant agencies met with leaders of the "Anti-Lynas Coalition" (which organised the October 9 protest in Kuantan) to clarify issues surrounding the Lynas controversy and to hear the views of those who were opposed to the project.

At the meeting, the anti-Lynas representatives told MITI they had information that Lynas was planning to import rare earth ores in October via Kuantan port, and asked if this was true.

Both MITI and AELB categorically stated that Lynas had not been given any permission to import ores into the country.

This position has not changed.

Ministry of International trade and Industry
&
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
19 October 2011