Australia’s Lynas Corporation is confident that the independent panel probe into the company’s rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Pahang will be in favour of the company.

In a statement posted on the company’s Facebook page, Lynas said that it welcomes the announcement of the panel’s formation by International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed today.

“Lynas is confident the review will reconfirm that the plant is safe and presents no hazard to the community or Lynas workers.

“Lynas trusts that this independent review will help to address public concerns expressed in recent times about the health, safety and environmental aspects of this important project,” read the statement.

azlan The company said that it will work with Malaysian authorities, including the Atomic Energy Licensing Board and the Department of Environment, to ensure that the project construction meets all requirements and adheres to international standards.

“When completed, the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant will be a first-class rare earth processing facility which incorporates state-of-the-art technology and sets new benchmarks in safety, environmental performance and shared value across the supply chain for a sustainable future.”

The company said that it was understood that the review would be completed within a month and thus have no impact on the anticipated project completion date.

lan visit mustapa mohamed 200406 looking on Earlier today, Mustapa ( left ) held a press conference to announce that the panel would comprise of independent international experts and will perform a “conclusive study” on the project.

However, Mustapa did not reveal the identities of the panel members nor who was financing the study.

“What is important is that they will be international, experts and independent. These are the three key elements,” he said.

The refinery in Gebeng is slated to be the biggest rare earth refinery in the world and is scheduled for completion in five month, but residents and environmental groups are up in arms because of potential radiation exposure.

Opponents are worried that the plant would result in radiation contamination as witnessed in the case of Bukit Merah, Perak in the 1980s.

The Bukit Merah plant has been shut down after heavy protest from those who believe that the high rate of birth defects of those living within the vicinity were a result of the refinery.