An Australian pressure group has urged mining company Lynas Corporation to make renewed efforts to engage the local community in Malaysia, saying that its efforts so far are inadequate.

The group StopLynas Inc pointed out the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had recommended to the Malaysian government in 2011 to tell Lynas to intensify its communications with stakeholders to show how will Lynas “ensure the radiological safety of the public and the environment”.

In a paper published today, it said, “As Lynas works towards fulfilling requirements to obtain a full operating licence, there is room for efforts to earn a ‘social licence’ from the community.

“With a new CEO in place and the opening of headquarters in Malaysia, the timing could be right for a new approach to stakeholder management.”

The Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng, Pahang, is currently operating on a two-year temporary operating licence (TOL), which expires on Sept 2.

Previously, the company’s CEO Amanda Lacaze took office in June, and announced on the following month that the company headquarters will be moved to Malaysia to reduce costs.

StopLynas’ five-page paper also cited reports by groups such as Malaysian Physicians for Peace and Social Responsibility, the Germany-based Oeko Institutes and Greenpeace South-East Asia regarding Lamp, as well as protests by groups like Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) and Himpunan Hijau, to show that Lynas has not done enough in community engagement.

In addition, it said the Mitsubishi rare earths plant in Bukit Merah, which was closed in 1992 after causing an environment disaster, had added towards the public distrust to Lamp.

“Based on the sources cited above, it is reasonable to conclude that Lynas Corporation has not sufficiently addressed its obligations to show faith with public opinion.

“Lack of faith of public opinion has not been sufficiently addressed by Lynas Corporation,” it said.

In an accompanying press release, StopLynas claims that it has submitted its paper to Lynas for a response.