Singapore | The Malaysian government will rule early next month on a bid from rare earths producer Lynas to extend its operations in what will be one of the most contentious decisions to date for the new administration.

The February ruling will come after more than a decade of controversy related to the low-level radioactive waste generated at the Lynas plant where ore exported from Australia to Malaysia is processed to produce rare earth elements. Lynas has said four reviews have all found its operations to be low risk and compliant with all regulations.