ID :
183719
Mon, 05/23/2011 - 05:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/183719
The shortlink copeid
FUTURE OF LYNAS RARE EARTH FACTORY IN PAHANG HINGES ON IAEA FINDINGS
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) - The future of the proposed Lynas rare earth processing factory at Gebeng in east coast state of Pahang now appears to hinge on the findings of a panel of experts appointed by the government to review the safety aspects of the project.
Lynas Corporation Ltd of Australia, owners of the factory, had originally planned to complete construction of the main plant by September.
This target date is now in question, given that the government will decide on Lynas’ future only after receiving the findings and recommendations of the panel expected by the end of June this year.
The company has proposed to process raw materials (lanthanide ores) from Western Australia into purified lanthanides, one of the rare earth groups. Rare earths are crucial to production of high-tech goods from fibre-optic cables to smartphones and electric cars.
Meanwhile, the focus of the anti-Lynas campaign has shifted to the panel itself. Some critics are faulting the government for asking the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to appoint an expert panel to give it a second opinion on health and safety issues surrounding the proposed Lynas factory.
They allege that IAEA is "pro-nuclear", the suggestion being that appointed panel members may have a "built-in" bias which may favour Lynas.
This argument somewhat questions the integrity and independence of IAEA and its panel members, and may be rather unfair as the panel has yet to complete its job and submit its findings.
The so-called criticisms also reveal the ignorance of the role and work of IAEA.
IAEA is an independent organisation within the United Nations system. It works with its 151 member states and 71 inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.
A key role of IAEA is to develop and establish radiation and nuclear safety standards for worldwide adoption.
It is also the accepted international authority on best work practices on issues relating to nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, the transport of radioactive waste materials, and the safety of nuclear fuel facilities.
A significant portion of IAEA’s work now involves providing independent and objective advice on how to achieve high levels of safety and security.
When the world’s first nuclear plant accident occurred at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, USA in 1979, it was an IAEA expert group that was called in to review safety aspects of the accident and advice on emergency planning and response.
In 1986, when the world’s worst nuclear accident took place in Chernobyl, Ukraine, IAEA played a similar role.
More recently, when a giant tsunami hit the Fukushima power plant in Japan, the authorities there also turned to IAEA for help.
Perhaps the most high profile acknowledgement of IAEA’s work in promoting the safe use of nuclear energy came in the form of the Nobel Peace Prize of 2005, which was awarded to IAEA and its former Director- General, Mohamed ElBaradei, "for their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way".
IAEA’s mission today continues to focus on three areas: safety and security; science and technology; safeguards and verification.
It promotes the safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and is not in the business of promoting nuclear or radiation technologies per se.
By any measure, IAEA is clearly the most competent technical organisation to undertake this review of the Lynas project.
At Gebeng, the panel of experts will determine whether Lynas has complied with relevant international safety standards and good practices.
It will also provide the government with an expert opinion on all safety issues, in particular, radiation safety.
The panel comprises of four professionals from IAEA and five from IAEA member countries.
All are recognised experts in their respective disciplines, and have specialist knowledge of issues relating to radiation protection, safety assessment, waste management, transportation, and decommissioning and remedial actions. Their individual background details have already been made public.
The panel will visit Malaysia from May 29 to June 3, and will receive submissions from the public. This will be a good opportunity for critics of the project to make known their views.
Lynas Corporation Ltd of Australia, owners of the factory, had originally planned to complete construction of the main plant by September.
This target date is now in question, given that the government will decide on Lynas’ future only after receiving the findings and recommendations of the panel expected by the end of June this year.
The company has proposed to process raw materials (lanthanide ores) from Western Australia into purified lanthanides, one of the rare earth groups. Rare earths are crucial to production of high-tech goods from fibre-optic cables to smartphones and electric cars.
Meanwhile, the focus of the anti-Lynas campaign has shifted to the panel itself. Some critics are faulting the government for asking the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to appoint an expert panel to give it a second opinion on health and safety issues surrounding the proposed Lynas factory.
They allege that IAEA is "pro-nuclear", the suggestion being that appointed panel members may have a "built-in" bias which may favour Lynas.
This argument somewhat questions the integrity and independence of IAEA and its panel members, and may be rather unfair as the panel has yet to complete its job and submit its findings.
The so-called criticisms also reveal the ignorance of the role and work of IAEA.
IAEA is an independent organisation within the United Nations system. It works with its 151 member states and 71 inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.
A key role of IAEA is to develop and establish radiation and nuclear safety standards for worldwide adoption.
It is also the accepted international authority on best work practices on issues relating to nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, the transport of radioactive waste materials, and the safety of nuclear fuel facilities.
A significant portion of IAEA’s work now involves providing independent and objective advice on how to achieve high levels of safety and security.
When the world’s first nuclear plant accident occurred at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, USA in 1979, it was an IAEA expert group that was called in to review safety aspects of the accident and advice on emergency planning and response.
In 1986, when the world’s worst nuclear accident took place in Chernobyl, Ukraine, IAEA played a similar role.
More recently, when a giant tsunami hit the Fukushima power plant in Japan, the authorities there also turned to IAEA for help.
Perhaps the most high profile acknowledgement of IAEA’s work in promoting the safe use of nuclear energy came in the form of the Nobel Peace Prize of 2005, which was awarded to IAEA and its former Director- General, Mohamed ElBaradei, "for their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way".
IAEA’s mission today continues to focus on three areas: safety and security; science and technology; safeguards and verification.
It promotes the safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and is not in the business of promoting nuclear or radiation technologies per se.
By any measure, IAEA is clearly the most competent technical organisation to undertake this review of the Lynas project.
At Gebeng, the panel of experts will determine whether Lynas has complied with relevant international safety standards and good practices.
It will also provide the government with an expert opinion on all safety issues, in particular, radiation safety.
The panel comprises of four professionals from IAEA and five from IAEA member countries.
All are recognised experts in their respective disciplines, and have specialist knowledge of issues relating to radiation protection, safety assessment, waste management, transportation, and decommissioning and remedial actions. Their individual background details have already been made public.
The panel will visit Malaysia from May 29 to June 3, and will receive submissions from the public. This will be a good opportunity for critics of the project to make known their views.
