Malaysians protest against rare earth refinery

World

Malaysians protest against rare earth refinery

Close

Fearing radioactive pollution, activists protest against plans for a rare earth refinery.

20 May,2011 03:59 pm

About 300 Malaysians have staged a peaceful protest against plans for an Australian-built rare earth refinery amid fears of radioactive pollution.The plant being built by Australian miner Lynas in eastern Malaysia could curtail Chinas monopoly on the global supply of rare earths for making high-tech goods.Protesters, including opposition lawmakers marched on Friday from Kuala Lumpurs Petronas Twin Towers to a street near the Australian High Commission.Some carried banners that read Go back to Australia and Malaysia not a radioactive waste dump site.Lynas says the plant will have state-of-the art contamination controls. The International Atomic Energy Agency is helping Malaysia investigate whether there will be any risks.