KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 — With its two-year licence to operate its controversial rare-earth plant coming to an end today, Lynas said it has received a fresh licence from local regulators to run the refinery.

In a brief statement, the Australian miner confirmed that the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has issued the Full Operating Stage Licence (FOSL) today, saying that this permanent licence can be renewed in two years’ time.

Lynas said the AELB’s decision comes after a “rigorous review” by the regulator and “other independent regulatory bodies” here, saying that they have decided that its refinery complies with the required regulations.

“Receiving this licence is another significant milestone for Lynas, and validates the safe and secure operation of the LAMP during the two year tenure of the Temporary Operating Licence (TOL),” Lynas chairman Nick Curtis was quoted saying in the statement.

Environmental activists protesting against the Lynas plant due to alleged safety and health concerns had recently demanded that AELB reject the company’s application for a FOSL.

In its latest quarterly report on June 30, Lynas said it had complied with all the regulatory requirements and the conditions of the TOL which was issued in September 2012, also saying that it had submitted its application for the FOSL to the AELB.

Malay Mail Online was unable to reach AELB for comment.

But AELB director-general Hamrah Mohd Ali said that the board had met last week and agreed to issue the FOSL for the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP), according to reports on two other news sites, Malaysiakini.com and The Malaysian Insider.

In the reports, Hamrah said the decision was made after AELB found that Lynas had submitted all the necessary documents and complied with all the regulator’s conditions under the TOL.

Hamrah said the AELB could issue a FOSL that lasts a maximum of three years, but confirmed that the board had exercised its discretion when deciding to grant a two-year renewable licence to Lynas.

Last week, global environmental watchdog GreenPeace released a report titled “A Radioactive Ruse” in which it accused Lynas of failing to comply with regulatory requirements under the TOL and urged Malaysia to deny the Australian firm a permanent operating licence.

Local groups such as “Himpunan Hijau” and “Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas” have been attempting to get authorities to close the rare earth plant through rallies and protests, some of which have landed activists in jail on illegal assembly violations.

Rare earths is a term used to describe 18 metals that are vital for many industrial and hi-tech processes such as the production of smartphones, hybrid car batteries, wind turbines, steel and low-energy light bulbs.