Australian mining firm Lynas Corporation Ltd on Thursday announced the arrival of about 100 containers of rare earth concentrates in Malaysia as it prepares to start operating its controversial processing facility, dpa reported. Lynas said most of the containers loaded with the concentrates have reached the Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP) on the outskirts of Kuantan town in the state of Pahang, 210 kilometres north-east of Kuala Lumpur. "Lynas expects that first feed to kiln and commencement of operations at the LAMP will occur over the coming days," it said in a statement. The arrival of the concentrates in Lynas' facility in Kuantan came two weeks after a Malaysian court allowed a suspension order on the plant's operating licence to lapse. Environmental groups have objected to the operations of the plant due to health, safety and environmental concerns. The 200-million-dollar plant is to process rare metals used in products such as flat screens, mobile phones, energy-efficient light bulbs, wind turbines and hybrid cars. Lynas says it expects to process up to 22,000 tons of rare earth ore annually, or about 20 per cent of the world market, at its Malaysian facility. It hopes to generate some 8 billion ringgit (2.66 billion dollars) annually from its operations.
