[View the story "Is Malaysia risking it all for rare earths?" on Storify ]Is Malaysia risking it all for rare earths? Activists say new refinery could threaten environment and health. Storified by The Stream · Wed, Dec 05 2012 10:42:00
Malaysians opposed to the rare earths refinery recently staged a 13-day, 300-kilometre
"Green Walk" that drew thousands of protesters (video below). Activists say the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) will have negative impacts on the environment. Plans to dispose waste from the plant into the South China Sea lead many to fear that the local tourism and fishing industries are under threat.
13-day Green Walk ends at Dataran Merdekafzcomvideos
#saveMalaysia #stoplynas & #NoRareEarths I want a safe environment to live! http://instagr.am/p/Skxhp3lTW2/VINDYTAN
Green Walk: Taken on a life of its owncitizenjournalistsmy
Despite ongoing
legal challenges , the Lynas plant began operations last week. Below are announcements from Lynas Malaysia's official
Twitter account.
We are pleased to announce that first feed to kiln is underway and operation of the LAMP is now a reality. This is a significant milestone.Lynas Malaysia
Since operations began at the LAMP on Friday, production has been running smoothly & our first product will be created in about 45 daysLynas Malaysia
Although the plant's safety standards have been
scrutinised and approved by independent international authorities such as the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), activists remain unconvinced. The following videos from activist groups explain the threats to the environment and wildlife.
Why Malaysians oppose the Lynas rare earth refinerygreenlefttv
428 Save our Homeland 家还需要搬吗.mp4productkelantan
Demand for rare earths is growing around the world because they are used in devices such as smart phones, computers and hybrid car batteries.
China currently operates the vast majority of the world's rare earth refineries, which has enabled them to heavily influence the price of rare earth elements.
Lynas hopes to supply 15 per cent of the world's rare earth demands outside of China once the refinery is completely up and running.
Supporters of the rare earths refinery believe Lynas has taken appropriate precautions and provides much needed foreign direct investment in the Malaysian economy. The following
infographic by I.M. Magazine highlights the incentives for Malaysia and Lynas to open the plant.
http://imag.com.my/readstory.php?id=606AJstream
http://imag.com.my/readstory.php?id=606AJstream
Activists have cited
well-documented concerns regarding the refinery's process for toxic waste disposal.
http://imag.com.my/readstory.php?id=606AJstream
http://imag.com.my/readstory.php?id=606AJstream
Many have taken to Twitter to defend the Lynas refinery, citing the facility inspections as proof that the project will be safe.
People shld know Lynas has been verified by 6 independent bodies 2 b safe & didnt contravene local & int'l safety & environment regulationsNurul Hannah
Good 2 know tht Lynas workers confirm plant complies with international safety standards & tht its operations will benefit economy & peopleNurul Hannah
Everyone shud know that Lynas brings new technology & should be given the chance to prevail before condemning it.Rayyan Gunawil
Netizens are also talking about the role of Malaysian opposition politics in the #Lynas debate.
Lynas a spot on example of how polarised we have become. Science and logic must prevail over politics. The right to march is secondary hereRam Karthigasu
@AJStream problem with anti-lynas is they dont wanna hear abt the real facts that #Lynas is safe,they follow blindly what opposition saySiti Lina
So just because some opposition politicians joined/support #HimpunanHijau, it makes the entire cause invalid?anonVG
I read that Lynas is safe but what is more dangerous was the political play by some people on Lynas especially the opposition!Nurul Hannah
If the factual overall greater benefits outweigh the alleged negative detriments then I dont see a reason why Lynas should be stopped.alaisvannorman
If Lynas is safe, Najib and Muhyiddin should move their official residence beside the factory. #StopLynas #MalaysiaBoleh #IlovegreenWei Lin
Others focus on the potential economic benefits the new refinery could bring to Malaysia.
Msia has 0.03% of the world's rare earth reserves & with Lynas providing the rare earth feedstock, it can attract downstream industries!M. Ganesan
I believe Lynas will bring benefits as it'll create 400 skilled jobs & multiplier effect of 5x in secondary jobs thru d economic ecosystem!J.Harp
Aus previously say ok 4 #Lynas Plant within Australia near a population with workforce but Msia is cost effectiveMageshwaran Naya
Netizens against the Lynas plant used social media networks like
Pinterest to spread their message beyond Malaysia.
STOP Lynas, Save MalaysiaPinterest
STOP Lynas, Save MalaysiaPinterest
STOP Lynas, Save MalaysiaPinterest
STOP Lynas, Save MalaysiaPinterest
LynasPinterest
