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https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2019/06/496791/lynas-good-investment?fbclid=IwAR28tX72LPIxKcfUvpl54yacNyJ0HcjQ0YCBAGnU_DABBrZzoxHrJ-izzrE

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THE NEWSTRAITS TIMES PRESS

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Workers processing rare earths at the LynasAdvanced Materials Plant in Gebeng, Kuantan. FILE PIC

By PROFESSOR DATUKDR AHMAD IBRAHIM - June 16, 2019 @ 10:03pm

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KUDOS toPrime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allowing Lynas to continue operatingin Kuantan, Pahang. It is the right decision because rare earths processing isa good investment.

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As a nationbent on taking advantage of the growing demand for technologically-advancedproducts, it is in our interest to have access to rare earths.

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Critics areconcerned about the safety of the waste from rare earths.

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However,local and foreign experts do not see the waste from rare earths processing ashealth threatening.

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Equating suchwaste to nuclear-type waste is irresponsible. They are miles apart.

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If not, whyis China, a major producer of rare earths for the world, not much bothered bythe operation of many rare earths plants there?

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In fact, somehave suggested that rare earths may soon replace oil as the most strategicmaterial globally. This strategic nature became even clearer in the tradeconflict between the United States and China.

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It wasreported that China may resort to using its rare earths supply to the US as abargaining chip in negotiations. This has rattled the US.

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Even Lynaswas approached to be an alternative supplier. There is also talk of the USstarting its own rare earths facility.

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Instead ofsquabbling over a non issue, we should be strategising how to mine our own rareearths deposits.

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I have beentold by geologist colleagues that we do have deposits of heavy rare earths.

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Talking topeople in the rare earths business, it seems in some high temperatureapplications, the preference is for heavy rare earths.

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They are alsopriced higher than the light rare earths that Lynas produces.

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Let’s faceit. We need to venture into new economic areas to help the nation grow at ahealthy pace. Our petroleum resources cannot last forever.

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By 2050, wewill have 10 billion people.

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The depletionof natural resources motivates many economies to look at waste as a possiblenew source.

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The wastefrom Lynas contains phosphates, which we import for plantations. Why not usethem and save on import costs?

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Oil palmplantations in Pahang mined for bauxite can use the phosphate-rich Lynas wasteto rehabilitate soil fertility.