As if to prove even the most unflappable have their limits, Lynas Corporation chief executive Amanda Lacaze has finally decided to call time on recent re-escalation of “outrageous and egregious” criticism of her company’s rare earths operation in Malaysia.

Less than a month before Lynas expects the Malaysian cabinet to make a final decision on the renewal of the operating licence of the company’s rare earths processing plant in Kuantan, the Australian company has threatened to sue activists “who persist in defaming our people and our company”.