It said a number of criteria had been analysed and tested by experts, including any potential effects on water.
“These assessments have been used to identify candidate sites and based on these assessments, the site at Bukit Ketam was found to be suitable,” it said in a statement to “address comments” on the choice of the PDF site 32km from Kuantan.
Yesterday, Lynas, which operates its rare earths processing plant at Gebeng, Kuantan, announced that the Pahang government had consented to a site at Bukit Ketam for its PDF for water leach purification (WLP) residue.
Among those who commented on the announcement was Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, a long-time critic of the company’s operations, who said “due diligence is not enough for a PDF site”.
“It is necessary for a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) study,” Fuziah told Malaysiakini.
“Bukit Ketam is on the Terengganu border and adjacent to Bukit Kuantan Hill on one side. Coincidentally, Bukit Kuantan is a water catchment area for Sungai Kuantan and the water intake point for the Semambu treatment plant is located downstream at Sungai Kuantan. The Semambu treatment plant processes drinking water for 600,000 residents of Kuantan.
“Does the Pahang government want to jeopardise the safety of the people of Kuantan by allowing a PDF of Lynas waste to be built in Bukit Ketam?” she asked.
In today’s statement, Lynas Malaysia’s vice-president and managing director, Mashal Ahmad, said the approval letter from the Pahang government was one of the key criteria set by Putrajaya for the renewal of Lynas’ operating licence.
“Prior to construction of the storage facility, further work will be undertaken in accordance with international guidelines and regulatory requirements.
“We are pleased we have been able to identify a site that is suitable for this material and look forward to working with our local partners Gading Senggara Sdn Bhd to finalise all aspects of its construction and operation,” he said.
Mashal said Lynas would continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the state government, regulatory authorities and local communities “every step of the way”.