No Basis For Legal Action, Says Lynas

By Neville D'Cruz MELBOURNE, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Lynas Corporation says there is no basis to the legal challenge it has been served with over its Malaysian rare earths processing plant, near Kuantan in Malaysia's east coast state of Pahang. In a statement through the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday, Lynas said court proceedings had been filed against it, the Malaysia Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) and the Malaysian Department of Environment. "The applicants in the proceedings are a group of individuals who live in the region where the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) is being onstructed," it said. The group is seeking the court's permission to review the AELB's decision to grant Lynas a temporary operating licence over the plant. Lynas said its plant was safe and had undergone rigorous environmental and health testing. "Lynas has complied, and will continue to comply, with the requirements of the Malaysian Government regulatory authorities in relation to the LAMP," it said. "While Lynas respects the concerns of members of the community, it does not believe there is any basis for the claims made in the proceedings. "Lynas will take the necessary steps to vigorously protect its interests in relation to the orders sought in the proceedings," it said. -- BERNAMA