The Temporary Operating Licence (TOL) for Lynas Corp's rare earth plant at the Gebeng Industrial Zone in Pahang will expire next month but the government has yet to receive an application for a Full Operating Stage Licence (FOSL).

"I haven't received the application,” said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Ewon Ebin ( left ).

"My officers haven't told me about that one," he told reporters after attending E-Commerce Conference 2014 at Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur.

Lynas Corp claimed that they have applied for a FOSL.

According to its quarterly report for the period ending June 30 this year, the Australian company had submitted all the documents required for the application for a FOSL for the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) to the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), which is under Ewon’s ministry.

The minister added that his ministry will follow the atomic experts’ advices and “look into all scenarios” to determine whether to issue the licence to the company.

“We are looking into all scenarios... I can’t give you a definitve answer.”

In the report, Lynas claimed it has complied with all regulatory requirements and all conditions of the TOL since it was issued by the AELB in September 2012.

The minister, however, did not give a concrete reponse on this.

“That is what they said, you see. Otherwise we can’t give you the licence.”

Lynas has so far invested approximately RM1 billion for building the rare earth plant at Kuantan, but up to the end of June, the company’s debts amounted to US$215 million.

The NGO Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) has urged the government not to consider Lynas’ application for a permanent operating licence, citing that the mining company’s financial problems would leave behind a “toxic legacy” for future generations.

Apart from being unable to comply with the requirements of the TOL, the possible foreclosure of Lynas may leave the toxic disposal at Kuatan, the organisation added.