Lynas taps new media to try to defuse fears
In an attempt to contain growing protests against its rare earth plant in Gebeng, Pahang, Australian mining giant Lynas Corp has turned to the new media, releasing a series of video interviews with its top management in cyberspace to tackle questions raised by detractors.
In an attempt to contain growing protests against its rare earth plant in Gebeng, Pahang, Australian mining giant Lynas Corp has turned to the new media, releasing a series of video interviews with its top management in cyberspace to tackle questions raised by detractors.
Following the setting up of a Facebook website in March, Lynas set up an online channel at popular video-sharing website YouTube today to disseminate information on its Malaysian venture.
"This channel will present viewers with information and facts on Lynas, Rare Earths and its operations," reads the introduction to Lynas' YouTube channel.
It also reiterated that production at its Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng would commence as scheduled in the third quarter of 2011.
A total of nine video clips have been uploaded on the website, comprising interviews with Lynas Corp executive chairman Nick Curtis, chief operating officer Eric Noyrez and executive vice-president Matthew James.
The interviews repeat what Lynas had explained to the media earlier, including the plant's waste management and why Lynas had chosen Malaysia to process the raw material from its mine in Mount Weld, Western Australia, some 2,500km away.
Most of these videos were posted on Lynas' Facebook website.
The website was set up two months ago but has since attracted only 203 people to 'like' it.
Gases produced to be sold back to supplier
In one of the two latest video clips uploaded, Noyrez explains that waste from the plant will be recycled using water and the gases produced - the most hazardous by-product - will be sold to the supplier to produce sulfuric acid.
Noyrez reiterates in another video clip that Malaysia was chosen to build the plant because it has many skilled workers in the chemical industry, besides cheap energy, water and availability of chemicals.
Opponents of LAMP are organising another peaceful assembly in Kuantan on Sunday to protest against the project, despite warnings from the Pahang police.
The demonstration, organised by Kuantan DAP, will be the third public protest this month after two demonstrations were held last Friday and Sunday respectively.
The second demonstration , in conjuction with Mother's Day, attracted a 1,000-strong crowd.
This Sunday's peaceful assembly is expected to see some 500 concerned residents taking part.
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