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Societal Aspects of Radioactive Waste

Management in Malaysia

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Sources of Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste in Malaysia arises from many different activities such as:

Application of radionuclides in industry, medicine, and research;

Cleanup of contaminated sites;

Processing of raw materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides.

Spent nuclear fuel from Reaktor TRIGA PUSPATI (RTP) ???

Decommissioning waste from research reactor

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National Programme on Radioactive Waste Repository

• June 2003 – a working paper was submitted to the Cabinet on the need of national repository for low level radioactive waste.

• The Federal Government approved the proposal with site allocated in Bukit Kledang, Mukim Belanja (co-located with Asian Rare Earth TENORM disposal site)

• The decision was conveyed to the Perak State Government

• Aug 2007 – obtained approval from Perak State Government to do some geological works

• March 2008 General election– Change hand of State Government (opposition took over State of Perak)

• Oct 2008 - the new government did not approve the project

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The team decided to carryout area survey for the whole of Malaysia Peninsular to study the potential site for National Repository. Further: 26 June 2009: Cabinet agreed to: consider nuclear energy as one of the options for electricity

generation post 2020 particularly in Peninsular set up Nuclear Power Development Steering Committee (NEPIO)

which is now called Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation (MNPC)

allocate RM25 million for a period of 3 years to implement activities

Decision: The National Repository for Low level Waste will also make available for low level waste from NPP

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Area Survey

Area survey is carried out only in Peninsular Malaysia only.

7 out of 11 States are considered (Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Johor).

Other 4 States are excluded (Melaka, Selangor, Pulau Pinang and Perlis) – tourism, industrial. George Town (Pulau Pinang and Melaka are declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO

Reports are being prepared.

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PI/PA ACTIVITIES & ACTIVITIES FREQUENCY

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PI/PA ACTIVITIES & ACTIVITIES FREQUENCY

Activity Frequency

1. Talks & exhibition at various secondary schools in Malaysia

Through the year and ongoing activities

2. Talks & exhibition at various Institutes of Teacher Educations in Malaysia

Through the year and ongoing activities

3. Workshop on ‘Train the Trainers for NPP Public Communicator’ (TOT)

Once a year

4. Seminar and exhibition of Public Information on Nuclear Energy (PINE)

Once a year according to the region (2010)

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Working visit by Members of Parliament, Politicians, Community Leaders to nuclear power plant’s community area in advanced countries

Once a year or according to the needs.

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Activity Frequency

6. Media Interview According to the needs & request from media

7. Public Visit to Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Visit Nuclear Facilities)

Through the year and on going activities. Visitors will be exposed to the environment and nuclear facilities

8. Printed brochures/pamphlets/posters Publications will be done periodically and according to needs e.g. Warta Nuklear

9. Seminar and workshop for government staff on NPP

Will be started in 2012

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Public Outcry over Lynas Project

►Lynas is a public company, listed on Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)

►Will run the biggest rare-earth plant in the world, situated in Gebeng, Kuantan, State of Pahang. ►The authorities (i.e. AELB, DOE, local

government) had approved a licence for construction the plant in 2008 ►Briefing to the MP and state assembly had

been given ►Everything went well accept small resistance

from Opposition Party. ►Temporary Operating License (TOL) was

approved in March 2012

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Process Flowsheet

Lanthanide Products

Lanthanide Concentrate (traces of naturally

occurring radioactive material) Residue

- Solids from gas scrubbing (gypsum)

- Gypsum by-product

- Iron-phospho-gypsum (traces of radioactive material)

MINE + CRUSH

SULFURIC ACID

CRACKING &

LEACHING

Lanthanide Ore

SEPARATION

CONCENTRATION

PRODUCT FINISHING

Mt Weld, Australia

Advanced Materials Plant, Malaysia

Sulphuric Acid

Hydrochloric Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Soda Ash Magnesium

Oxide Hydrated Lime

Public Outcry over Lynas Project

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►8 March 2011 An article from New York

Times mentioning that the plant will produce radioactive waste and might be dangerous

►11 March 2011

Fukushima accident

People in Kuantan Town started oppose the project after nearly 98% completed and RM2 billions have been spent.

People Claimed: They are not consulted The authorities are not transparent The company get profit but the people get no benefit accept radioactive

waste Will get cancer........ .......... Some of their voices...... “I have worked hard for my family and for my retirement in Kuantan. This is a peaceful and safe town. This is not a Chinese or Malay issue but an issue for all Malaysians who want a clean and safe future. I will not sit back to let others fight my battle” “Apart from the solid waste problem, many coastal communities will be affected, especially those involved in fishery and tourism.” Actions: Demonstrations Legal action at the High Court Appeal to the Minister in-charge of the Act 304 Supported by environmentalist, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Bar Council

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Heated dialogue at public hearing on rare earth plant By ONG HAN SEAN

KUANTAN: Emotions ran high when the crowd at a public hearing refused to

accept experts' explanation over the rare earth plant in Gebeng. Some 400

residents who attended the first in a series of briefings appeared to have come

ready to reject the project even before the talks by the Atomic Energy Licensing

Board (AELB), Nuclear Malaysia and the state Department of Environment

officials began. The experts were brought in by the Pahang State Development

Corporation.The four-hour heated dialogue ended with residents walking out,

promising to return for the next briefing to voice their dissatisfaction. (The Star –

April 7, 2011)

Making a point: An angry resident identified as Mohd Najid voicing his

concerns at the public briefing on the Lynas rare earth refinery in Gebeng.

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Public Outcry over Lynas Project

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Government Actions: Called IAEA experts to review the radiation safety aspects of the

plant Documents related to the safety - open for public view Dialogues with local communities Allow the public to visit the plant Allow the public (with their experts) join with the authorities to

make inspections when the plant in operation Establishment of Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC). The

finding had been debated and voted in parliament. Result: Temporary Operating License can be issued to Lynas.

Establishment of independent panel to do good engineering practice audit of the plant before operation

Media briefing about the project PM promises: People’s safety first based on scientific and

technical facts. ……….. ………..

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• Getting one Chinese International Radiation Expert to speak to Chinese Communities in Kuantan.

• Assembling a team of Local Expert on Radiation : • To prepare a booklet to challenge articles issued by Anti

Lynas Group. • to give talks to Balok Residents • Local experts to give talk to local universities UIA and Shah

Putra. • Every 2-3 weeks, bring 200-300 villagers for briefing at site

followed by site tour. • 4 public talks by CM. • Installed 2 units of radiation monitoring equipment to detect

radiation level in air. • Sponsor 76 students for Ivory Tower project

• Engage professional media consultant

• Media presence on Facebook, Twitter and Blog

LYNAS Communication Programmes

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Chalenges

Very active NGOs too many “experts” Continuous awareness programmes Need to have strategies for public trust: Public involvement Transparency

Need for an effective communication Need to amend the law