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ACTION PLAN FOR
WLP RESIDUE
MANAGEMENT
(2018)
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Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP) generates TWO major residues
1. Water Leached Purification residue (WLP)
a. produced from the precipitation of post leaching liquor with MgO
b. is primarily iron phosphate, with minor iron hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide and
gypsum.
c. Contains Thorium at activity concentration of about 6 Bq/g
d. Classified as radioactive material by the AELB
e. Defined by the IAEA as A Very Low Level Radioactive Waste
2. Neutralization Underflow (NUF)
a. is a solvent extraction and product finishing raffinate neutralized with lime
b. NUF is also known as Mg rich synthetic gypsum as it is primarily gypsum
c. is a SW205 regulated by the DOE, Malaysia
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NUF @ MRSG WLP
Content % wet wt Content % wet wt
Gypsum
Ca2SO4.2H2O
73-74 Iron phosphate
FePO4.nH2O
25-50
Magnesium hydroxide
Mg(OH)2
17.1 Calcium carbonate
CaCO3
5-25
Calcium hydroxide
Ca(OH)2
4.2 Phosphogypsum
(Ca,P)SO4 (H2O)x
1-10
Calcium carbonate
CaCO3
2.3 Uranium oxide <0.01
Silica (amorphous) Si 0.4 Thorium hydroxide <0.2
Chemical compositions of WLP and NUF
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Lynas Zero Harm subscribes to National and International BEST practices in residue management
Lynas’ vision of “Zero Harm” and comprehensive approach to sustainability self-regulates
Lynas to adopt the best practicable and innovative environmental strategies for reduction of
residues generated. This is in line with:
a) International waste management principle of from “cradle to cradle”
b) The IAEA 9 fundamental Principles of Radioactive Waste Management, specifically
Principle 7: Control of radioactive waste generation: Generation of radioactive
waste shall be kept to the minimum practicable.
c) The 8 principles of Malaysia’s National Policy on the Environment which sought to
harmonize economic development goals with environmental imperatives.
Specifically, Principle 3: Continuous improvement in the quality of the environment
through Malaysia’s Green Strategies of prevention and control of pollution and
environmental degradation, i.e. the reuse and recycle of residues over their
permanent disposal
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Lynas strategy in residues management
Safe and Secure Storage
R&D Commercialization
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WLP residue regulated by the AELB
▪ The IAEA categorized the WLP as Very Low Level Radioactive Waste
▪ WLP residue, contains Thorium-232 at activity concentration of about 6 Bq/g
▪ WLP can be used productively therefore should NOT be classified as a waste but a residue or by-product with very low level radioactivity.
▪ The AELB approved Lynas PDF Planning Framework on 24th Oct 2013
▪ TWO options in residue management were agreed;
1. To commercialize the use of WLP.
2. To store WLP in permanent storage facilities as waste.
▪ Lynas has deposited USD 34 million to date with the AELB as a security deposit.
The IAEA categorized the WLP as Very Low Level Radioactive Waste
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Action Plan in Residue Management:Residues are currently stored in storage facility that is designed and
constructed to meet PDF standards
CONTROLLED
FILLDUAL LINER
SYSTEM
POLYETHYLENE
(HDPE) LINER
CLAY LINER
SCARIFY AND
RECOMPACT
PLACED AND
TRAFFIC
COMPACTED
WLP
RESIDUERAISES OF
CONTROLLED
FILL
EXISTING
GROUND
LEVEL
EXISTING
GROUND
LEVEL
EROSION
PROTECTION
DETAIL
Dual liner consists of a 300 mm low permeability compacted
clay liner overlaid with a 1.0 mm thick HDPE linerThe RSF is built on top (not excavated!!)
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Lynas has an EXTENSIVE and FOCUSSED R&D Program on the Commercialization the WLP
▪ Between financial year 2013 – 2017 Lynas spent RM 25 million or more than 0.5 % of the gross sales annually on R&D related to residue management.
▪ Lynas engaged and collaborated with local and international experts, research institutions and laboratories to carry out comprehensive R&D
▪ Institutions such as MARDI, Nuclear Malaysia, UPM, UKM, UMP, Univ of Western Australia, Golders report, ANSTO, SIRIM, DOA lab, Dept of Chemistry Lab, AsiaLab etc
▪ All R&D projects are guided and approved by the AELB and DOE
▪ R&D carried out at laboratory, plot, and large scale trials
▪ R&D involved potential clients/users like Lembaga Kenaf danTembakau Negara, plantation and farmers etc
▪ All research findings are reported to the AELB and the DOE.
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Product Development Trials
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Products Characterization and Applications
▪ PRODUCT: CondiSoil : blend of WLP: NUF: filler material
▪ PRODUCT CHARACTERIZATION for specialized and accredited labs:
▪ Non-toxic
▪ Non-carcinogenic
▪ Non-ecotoxic
▪ Non-radioactive
▪ NON-HAZARDOUS
▪ PRODUCT APPLICATION:
▪ Soil conditioner: Product meets Malaysia’s standard for soil conditioner and fertilizar, quality specifications determined by DOA (MS 2523:2013)
▪ Alternative Backfill Material: engineered material
Hazardous Tests and Testing Facilities Date
Golders Report concluded NUF is non
hazardous
June 2014
SIRIM reported NUF and CondiSoil as
non-hazardous and meet Special Mgt of
Scheduled Waste 205
Nov 2014, June
2015
AELB classified CondiSoil as non-
radioactive
July 2015
SIRIM, DoChem, MARDI, DOA reported
CondiSoil meets DOA MS1517:2012 –
Organic fertilizers specification (1st
Revision)
MARDI: April 2017,
DoChem: April 2017,
DOA: April 2017
SIRIM reported CondiSoil non-hazardous
according to Special Mgt of Scheduled
Wastes
Aug 2017
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Where are we in CondiSoil Commercialization?
▪ All commercialization R&D implemented are guided and approved by the regulators before being implemented.
▪ Progress and successes of all of commercialization R&D were reported to all relevant regulators (AELB, DOE,
MOH, DOA) and presentation were made to Ministries (MOSTI and NRE)
▪ Applications for THREE Special Management projects of residue/product (including WLP), the final step
before commercialization, were submitted for approval to the regulator to the DOE. 1ST letter sent 15 June 017
▪ ONCE APPROVED, Lynas will start commercialization.
▪ Lynas commercialization R&D has clearly provided an opportunity for the adoption of best practicable means to
use and reduce its residues safely.
▪ This is in line with the important principle in waste management of from cradle to cradle encouraged by the
DOE and world bodies.
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Action Plan for WLP Residue Management
Commercialization R&D
completed & reported to
Regulators
Applied for Special
Management
AELB, DOE, MOD, DOA,
SIRIM, MARDI, MOSTI,
NRE
DecisionYES
CommercializationNO
PDF site selection
On-site PDF
Off-site PDF
AELB: ON-site is
preferred because:
a. More viable and
accurate design of
b. Experience from
WLP RSF
c. IAEA
recommendation
Temporary
secured and
safe storage of
residues
DOE: Secured
landfill
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