Lynas' plan to convert its Water Leach Purification (WLP) residues into commercial products for export will not yield new forms of wastes, says Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) director-general Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan.

NONE "As far as we know and are informed, it will be the total utilisation of the WLP wastes generated," Raja Abdul Aziz said during a media briefing at the agency's headquarters in Dengkil.

He added that AELB would be observing the conversion process closely.

"It will also involve an amendment to the licence because they (Lynas) are introducing another process at the end. Originally it was to stop at WLP but now they will continue with the WLP (to process into commercial products).

azlan "All the regulatory authorities are now looking at the appended process and therefore we will still have to make consideration and formulate an approval if it is safe and in full compliance with the law," he said.

Raja Abdul Aziz added that if Lynas could prove the viability of the process, then a permanent disposal facility (PDF) to store the waste may no longer be necessary.

However, for now, the condition for Lynas to submit its PDF plan within 10 months of the issuance of the Temporary Operating Licence (TOL) on Sept 3 stands.

“The requirement of the PDF is still on the table. Unless we see the data and the commercial product... whether there are (overseas) customers or takers for it.

NONE “Only then will we submit to the board for its review again, and they will decide whether the requirement for the PDF is necessary or not,” he said.

This, he said, would require a review of the Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) report as well as inviting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to re-look at the plant.

Asked where the processed wastes would be exported to, Raja Abdul Aziz said this was up to Lynas to decide.