Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd has installed an Airborne Monitoring System (AMS) at its site in Gebeng while a second unit will be placed in Kuantan town next month.
Its managing director Datuk Mashal Ahmad said the units, which would provide updates on air quality every 10 minutes, cost RM1.5mil and were operated by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).
“With the AMS, people will know that whatever radiation emitted is very low, negligible and harmless to humans and the environment.
“The readings are also accessible online,” he said during a briefing on the rare earth plant’s progress here yesterday.
Also present were general manager (plant) Khairul Salleh Jais, engineering services senior manager Wee Tait Eng and Lynas Malaysia’s radiological safety adviser Prof Dr Ismail Bahari.
Mashal also commented on the 11 recommendations imposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review team, including three that need to be fulfilled before the pre-operation licence, which is for a two-year period before actual production could begin.
“We have given all the facts and data, and a permit to operate will make it possible to prove that the statistics are right,” he said, adding that the plant would be completed in January.
Mashal also denied that Lynas would start shipping rare earth from Australia.
He added that an empty container was brought in to map out the logistics involved.
On the ongoing protests against the plant, Mashal said Lynas welcomed any form of dialogue.
“They need to understand the processes involved and listen to the right people with the right expertise.
“Also, they must not impose conditions such as bringing along their lawyers or wanting to take photos and video recordings in the plant,” he added.
