The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has agreed to appoint an expert team to review the health and safety aspects of the proposed rare earth processing facility to be undertaken by Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd in Gebeng, Pahang.

The review will take place from May 29 to June 3. The panel is scheduled to complete and submit its report to the government by the end of June.

NONE Announcing this today, Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamad said the government would make public the panel’s findings and recommendations in the interest of transparency.

He also said there would be no importation of raw materials from Australia into Malaysia and no pre-operating licence issued to Lynas pending the completion of this exercise and a government decision based on the findings and recommendations.

"This is a 'people-first government' and we will continue to give the highest priority to safeguarding their health and safety as well as the environment at all times," he said in a statement today.

The decision by the government to appoint an independent panel of international experts for such a review comes amid concerns over the project's safely aspects.

Mustapa said the objectives of the IAEA team’s mission would be to review compliance with the relevant International Safety Standards and good practices and provide an independent expert opinion on safety issues, in particular, those relating to radiation safety.

The scope of the review process will include transportation, radiation protection (occupational, public and environmental), safety assessment, waste management and decommissioning and environmental remediation.

Opportunity to make representation

Mustapa said the work agenda of the review mission will also involve open and closed working sessions, presentations by relevant stakeholders and site visits.

NONE Interested parties, including residents and community groups, will have an opportunity to make representations to the panel.

"We expect that at least two days will be allocated to receiving representations from the public and stakeholders," he said.

The expert team selected by the IAEA to undertake the review consists of nine persons and will be lead by Dr Tero Varjoranta of Finland.

Varjoranta is the director of the division of nuclear fuel cycle and waste technology at the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy.

External experts are Jan van der Steen (Netherlands), Dr Leo M Lowe (Canada), Dr PM Balagopala Pillai (India), Dr Dennis Wymer (UK), Ulric Schwela (Finland).

Internal (IAEA) experts comprise Dr Magnus Vesterlind (Sweden), Dr Horst Monken Fernandes (Brazil) and Hanna Kajander (Finland), while Hiroko Raticliffe will be the administrative assistant.

All members of the panel are recognised experts in their respective disciplines and have specialist knowledge on issues relating to radiation protection, safety assessment, waste management, transportation, and decommissioning and remedial actions.

- Bernama