Lynas Has Ore Ready For Malaysian Plant

By Neville D'Cruz MELBOURNE, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Rare earths miner, Lynas Corporation, says its Mount Weld plant in Western Australia is recovering ore ahead of targets while waiting for the licence to operate its plant in Gebeng, Pahang. Construction of the plant was 91 per cent complete and production will begin in March, said Lynas in a statement on Tuesday. The rare earths miner is seeking a temporary licence from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) for its advanced materials (LAMP) plant where processed ore from Mount Weld will be treated for a second time. The company faced fierce opposition from the local community and environmental groups to the plant amid fears of radioactive risks. "If the temporary licence is granted, and if Lynas complies with the requirements of the temporary licence, a permanent operating licence can be issued any time within two years," Lynas's quarterly report said. Lynas said the ramp-up of Mount Weld was progressing well. During the December quarter, the average basket price for Mount Weld rare earths fell by more than 30 per cent, but Lynas said this needed to be viewed in the context of unsustainably high prices during the preceding two quarters. Factors that had recently influenced prices included an easing in global economic conditions and customer inventory de-stocking. The report said Lynas Malaysia staff numbers increased from 210 to 236 people in December 2011. Lynas Malaysia now has 85 per cent of its expected total workforce. Prior to the submission to AELB, Lynas made presentations on each document to the panel of experts in October. During the quarter, Lynas organised 15 public briefings that included International Islamic University academics and students, political party representatives, representatives of the Pahang State Department of Health, villagers, bloggers and youth groups. A total of 1,235 people were briefed at these sessions, taking the total number of face-to-face briefings to well over 5,000 people, the company said. -- BERNAMA