Activists demand transparency over Malaysia’s move to extend Lynas Rare Earth’s operations

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Environmentalists have slammed Malaysia’s move to let Australian miner Lynas import and process rare earths until March 2026. That decision reversed an earlier order for a halt to such activities by Jan. 1 after Lynas proposed to remove radioactive thorium from raw material and from over a million tons of waste amassed at its refinery. Activists say the company should have been compelled to prove its proposal could work. And they worry it will generate more waste while the safety of its existing waste hasn’t been resolved. Science Minister Chang has said he considered the decision a win-win situation because a successful removal of the radioactive element would resolve the issue of the growing toxic waste.