Of Rare Earth and Lynas – Part II

Part I, Part II

Keywords: rare earth, Lynas

Now that you have understood the importance of rare earth elements (REE) via the previous article titled Of Rare Earth and Lynas - Part I, it is now about time to learn (if you haven't already read) about what is in there for us at Lynas Advance Material Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng, Pahang.

The following is the info-graphics compiled by IM Magazine and it summarised many facts you need to know about the controversial refinery. You can visit them here and you are encouraged to share the infographic with your friends and family.

IM Magazine: "Love Malaysia? Then don't forget to share it with your friends and family."

There is an on-going discussion in the infographic thread provided by IM Magazine and some voiced their concern regarding the facts and figures provided by IM. If in doubt, readers are advised to read the articles and sources quoted by the author.

Waste site to be 'far away from plant'?

 

Prime Minister Datuk Najib told reporters after a meet-the-people session at Wakaf Mek Zainab in Kota Baru last week: “The location of the waste disposal site is still being determined, but it is going to be far away. Scientific evidence endorsed by local and international experts shows that the plant and rare earth residue are safe."

In Malaysia there is nowhere and no place that is far enough for Lynas rare earth refinery waste. No one from Johor or Kedah, or Sabah for that matter, would want to 'receive' radioactive waste in their neighbourhood.

AND make no mistake, for all of Lynas' undertakings to ship the waste out of Malaysia, don't dream of sending it back to Australia. Remember what Norman Moore, the Western Australian minister asserted "Australia does not support the importation and storage of other countries’ radioactive waste."

SEPA - Remember Bukit Merah!

SEPA President, Wong Tack on Tuesday (Daily Express, 6 March 2012) brought us back down memory lane to the painful experience of Bukit Merah rare earth refinery operated by Mitsubishi in the 80s during ex-PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad era.

“After 10 years of operation, an unusually high number of children in a nearby village were born with birth defects and brought down by leukemia” Wong noted.

The government closed the plant in 1992 after many years of protest by a Citizens Group, a group formed to protest the campaign for shut down of the plant. It is believed that today, former Mitsubishi rare earth plant site in Bukit Merah still stores 80,000 drums containing 200litres each of deadly radioactive wastes and it remains out of bounds - [SEPA].

If we look back at the above infographic, Mitsubishi Chemicals spent US$100 million to clean up the mess in Bukit Merah.

Decide for yourself

Think about this. If Australians did not have to endure radioactive radiations from a supposedly Lynas plant back there, why would us Malaysians want to willingly subject our self to a highly risky endeavour?

Lynas based their analysis and reports on 100% plant process efficiency. In real world, due partly to human error and mostly to man's carelessness or just plain ignorant. It can happen even in the most stringent environment. Murphy's Law states that "If it can go wrong, it will".

In other words, Lynas is an accident waiting to happen. If it goes wrong it will never be reversible.

Coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu has been cancelled after consistent protest from the local population, as well as friends and fellow Malaysians from Peninsula. There is no stopping the people of Gebeng  from asking for their right to live safely and healthily.

Your flashy Gadget or no Lynas?

Rare earth elements are important and they are needed for many of the modern gadgets and appliances, yes. But there are other places that are less inhabited that we can process them there. It will then be more costly but that is the price we'll have to pay for modernisation. 

If we can do it far away from the masses, why put our self in danger? Why Gebeng?

All New Samsung Galaxy S3

Let's take a time out on the smoking issues of Rare Earth and Lynas, and take a look at updates on New Gadgets.

Ok, you've been deceived, well just a little. The new Samsung Galaxy S3 is not yet out. But here is an interesting possibility of its imminent launch. By the way the S3 is of particular interest as my better half is currently using Galaxy S2 and she may want to check this one out.

Work of the rumour millers.

Galaxy S3 Announcement?

With Mobile World Congress (MWC) over now and nothing happened, the rumour mill will probably be shifting to higher gears once more. It was understood that Samsung performed very well during the recent MWC with some great devices.

In Korea, check out what ZDNet said and the S3 would probably be launched in April, with London and the UK one of the initial launch markets. This would be best timed for this year's Olympic Games. Note that Samsung is an official partner of the games.

Speculated Galaxy S3 Specifications

The Galaxy S3 would be powered by a 1.5-GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos CPU, with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich available out of the box. A possible full edge-to-edge HD screen measuring 4.8 inches ans the option to choose from 32 GB or 64 GB internal storage. A big 2 GB of internal memory and an 8MP camera.

Comparing the S2 and S3, but no promise, just hope. Lets see if Galaxy S3 fans would be sorely disappointed as did iPhone fans with the eventual release of the 4S instead of 5.

For the hopefuls' reading pleasure.

Form Factor

Samsung is going to set the bar very high with a thinner phone making it further competitive compared to iPhone 4S. The 4S is currently thicker than the S2. As for dimensions and weight, no single rumour miller has provided any information so far, or at least I haven't seen any on the Internet yet.

Verdict

The Galaxy S3 is going to attract a lot of iPhone fans and it will come in no surprise if the rumoured features become reality. Moreover, iPhone 5 (or whatever they may call it) is still many months away from possible launch.

Of Rare Earth and Lynas

Part I, Part II

Keywords: rare earth, Lynas

Mention the above two words and many will generally think of the recent negative remarks in the news, not because rare earth elements (REE) and Lynas are themselves bad entities, but due to the ongoing protest by environmentalists and individuals against the setting up of a chemical plant - Lynas Advance Material Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng, Pahang Malaysia.

Let's look at what are REE and how they impact our daily routines. I am not an expert in the field of chemistry - you could ask me about machinery, electricity, or pump, and not rare earth elements - but that would not stop us from learning a little bit about chemical substances, yes?

What is rare earth?

First of all, contrary to what their name suggest, rare earth element are found quite easily anywhere around the world. What makes them unique from other earth elements is that it is rare to find a commercially viable deposit.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry defines Rare Earth Elements as the 15 Lanthanide elements, plus Scandium and Yttrium. Best known for their applications in catalysts, computers, magnets, cell phones, hybrid cars, to name a few.

Where do they come from?

The supply of rare earth is almost monopolised by China. RareEarth Investing News in its report stated that China currently produces over 95% of the world’s rare earth supply and most of this is coming from Mongolia. Other places with high concentrations have also been identified at Mountain Pass, California, and Mount Weld, Australia.

Why rare earth?

Because of their ability to readily give up and accept electrons, the REE have become very useful in many electronic, optical, magnetic and catalytic applications. This suggests that as we advance further technologically, REE are becoming more and more indispensable.

Rare Earth Technologies - Commercial Applications

Rare earth elements are used in a wide range of green energy technologies, from hybrid cars to efficient light bulbs to wind turbines, to huge hydro-electric power generators.

Credit: REITA

Other rare earth applications related to energy in our daily life:

Credit: REITA

Rare earth applications which have became critical and play important roles in the way we live our life today, such as mobile phones, wide-screen TVs and water treatment:

Credit: REITA

Conclusion

As you can see rare earth applications are everywhere and they have become critical for the overall economic well being of the people. To say that it is not important or that it is something that we can live without, is a blatant denial of the fact that everyone has something to do with it in their daily activity - big or small ways.

Of rare earth and Lynas? That will be in the upcoming entry - Of Rare Earth and Lynas, Part II