COMMENT | Rare earth mining poses toxic risks

COMMENT | We refer to the announcement by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor last week that the state intends to mine for a rare earth elements (REE) which could be worth up to RM62 billion.

REE are extracted from ores and minerals as they are not often found concentrated in mineable deposits. REEs are almost always found in conjunction with significant radioactivity as these ores and minerals naturally contain Uranium and Thorium.

There are 17 rare earth elements existing namely, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium. Can the MB let us know which type of non-radioactive rare earth is found in Kedah?

Rare earth mining and processing is a much more environmentally hazardous process than other mining activities since radioactive waste is formed. They have serious environmental impacts if not properly managed...