Rare Earth Exports Need Stronger Regulations

5th March 2012

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) will be lodging a referral on behalf of the Anti-Nuclear Alliance of W.A (ANAWA) to the EPA regarding the Lynas operations at Mt Weld and their mining of rare earths. Lynas has made a number of changes to their procedures, which have not gone through the appropriate approvals. Lynas are currently operating under approvals issued to them 14 years ago.

There are major concerns about the amounts of radioactive materials being transported from Mt Weld through the port of Fremantle. Health & safety issues need to be thoroughly examined to ensure the best protection of those involved in the handling of this material. Lynas proposes the export of West Australian Rare earths to a controversial processing plant in Malaysia, which is currently facing delays due construction defects, and strong local opposition. Over 15,000 people took part in a mass protest action just over a week ago to show their opposition to the project. The Lynas project has sparked Malaysia's largest ever environmental campaign.

Marcus Atkinson spokesperson for ANAWA stated “The EPA needs to take a serious look at the Lynas operations at Mt Weld along with the transportation of this radioactive material to the Fremantle Port for export. There needs to be extremely stringent safeguards in place to protect the residents of Fremantle and other communities on the transport routes. The approvals given 14 years ago need to be re-examined by the EPA and stronger regulations need to be put in place to ease the fears of the community. We have made many mistakes in the past with the transport of lead and other materials. We need to ensure that the same mistakes are not made with rare earth products. “

ANAWA will be going to the EPA at 168 St Georges Terrace with the EDO to lodge the referral on Tuesday the 6th of March at 10.15 am.

Press conference outside the EPA at 10.30am

ENDS

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