Really would expect a SH's first point of reference would be Lynas website:
"The Lynas residue management plan is clear, focused and in line with internationally accepted principles of residue management. The residue management plan approved by the Malaysian regulatory authorities is being implemented under their guidance with the participation of established national and international research organisations. Lynas is confident that with its clear corporate residue management policy, and systematic engagements with all product stakeholders, the best principles in residue management 'from cradle to grave' are being realised.
Although Lynas is required to plan and site a permanent disposal facility (PDF) as an additional assurance in dealing with Lynas residues, the success of our commercialisation program to date has reduced the likelihood that a PDF will be required.
LAMP produces two solid gypsum residues as by-products of the treatment of the lanthanide concentrate. These are the Neutralisation Underflow Residue (NUF) and the Water Leached Purification Residue (WLP).
NUF is a Magnesium Rich Gypsum and has been proven to be non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-ecotoxic and non-radioactive. Its magnesium rich properties and other chemical properties can be used to condition poor agricultural soil, and to rejuvenate and rehabilitate unproductive and depleted land. NUF is neutralised with lime to produce synthetic gypsum.
The water leach after cracking dissolves the majority of the rare earths and some of the iron as soluble sulphates. Post leaching the liquid is partially neutralised with MgO to facilitate separation of the soluble rare earths sulphates from iron, aluminium and phosphate, which precipitate. The combined insoluble solid residue from the water leach and precipitates from the MgO neutralisation step are what is known as WLP.
The Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue, although classified as a radioactive material, has the same radioactivity level as the feedstock material used in the LAMP process (about 6 Bq/g of Th). This material is classified as very low level radioactive material. The LAMP operation does not enhance or alter the natural radioactivity. By way of example, material with similar levels of radioactivity can be used in roadbase material in the United Kingdom.
Interestingly, WLP is also an iron phosphogypsum with chemical properties that compliment NUF for the same agricultural purposes. The formulation of soil conditioners using WLP, NUF and inert filler materials has been proven through extensive research to be nonradioactive, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic. The AELB has acknowledged that the formulated soil conditioner is not a radioactive material. During product development and commercialization, Lynas adhered strictly to all the guidelines provided by the regulatory authorities (including the DOE and the AELB) in ensuring that the products developed are both safe for people and safe for the environment.
CondiSoil is a soil ameliorant consisting of Water Leached Purification residue (WLP), Neutralisation Underflow residue (NUF) and Filler material (not scheduled waste or hazardous material).
CondiSoil was developed under the Lynas CondiSoil Project, being part of the Lynas plan for Special Management of its scheduled waste under Regulation 7(1) Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005.
The CondiSoil Project is part of Lynas’s recovery effort to safely commercialise residues generated.
The potential use of Lynas residues as safe commercial products is vast and unlimited. Every year, Lynas invests around 0.5% of its gross income in research to develop new and improved options to reduce and reuse the residues on a commercial scale. In addition, Lynas has allocated another 0.5% of its income to other supporting research and will continue to invest substantially in the coming years. Commercial reuse is the preferred option. Permanent storage is not the preferred option.
ADDITIONAL ASSURANCE FROM A PERMANENT DISPOSAL FACILITY (PDF)
A PDF will always be the last choice in any residue management strategy because it is an unproductive long-term use of the residues and of the land. Lynas subscribes to this strategy but at the same time realizes that an assurance must be given to the public that should the need arise for a PDF, Lynas is prepared for it.
Since the LAMP started its operations under a Temporary Operating License in 2012, Lynas has assured the Malaysian government and the public of the following:
In 2014, the IAEA Report of the International Post-Review Mission on the Radiation Safety Aspects of the Operation of a Rare Earth Processing Facility and Assessment of the Implementation of the 2011 Mission Recommendations on the LAMP concluded that the risk from the LAMP operation is intrinsically low.
- The WLP residue is being safely stored in a temporary residue storage facility (RSF) within the LAMP. This facility has been designed and constructed and is managed to meet the requirement of a PDF within the LAMP;
- Occupational and health exposures monitored since 2012 have shown that risks to our employees from radiation and chemicals are well within the permissible limits. Lynas undertakes continuous monitoring of the environment both within and outside the plant (up to 20 km). All readings have been within the limits set by the relevant regulatory authorities and there has been no increase in background radiation levels at 1km, 5km, 10km and 20km from the plant; and
- Lynas has complied with all AELB License conditions.
All evidence related to the safety, health and environmental status and performance of the LAMP is routinely reported and scrutinized by the relevant authorities. Real-time and online environmental monitoring data are available to the public on the internet and on the Lynas, AELB and DOE websites. All monitoring data has shown that the LAMP operation, including residue management, has had no negative effect on the public and the environment.
The regulator approved Lynas PDF plan can now be substantiated with real information and experiences gathered from the use of the current on-site residue storage facility (RSF) to accurately design and construct a future PDF, if the need arises. However, the preferred option under the Lynas residue management plan is commercial reuse, and not permanent storage.
Lynas' commitment to safety and the environment includes a security deposit, held by the AELB, as an additional assurance of our commitment to residue management. We have deposited over US$30m with the AELB and will deposit up to US$50m by December 2019, an amount sufficient for a PDF and site remediation, if the need arises."
https://www.lynascorp.com/Pages/Residue-Tailings-Management.aspx
- Forums
- ASX - By Stock
- LYC
- Condisoil
LYC
lynas rare earths limited
Add to My Watchlist
2.12%
!
$14.79
Condisoil, page-46
-
Top Stories
You’re viewing a single post only. To view the entire thread just sign in or Join Now (FREE)
Featured News
Add to My Watchlist
What is My Watchlist?
A personalised tool to help users track selected stocks. Delivering real-time notifications on price updates, announcements, and performance stats on each to help make informed investment decisions.
