Rare earths miner Lynas says it has a responsibility to the Malaysian community to operate a newly-approved plant in a safe manner.

Malaysia’s Atomic Energy Licensing Board has granted a temporary operating licence for the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng.

The licence is valid for two years, and if Lynas complies with regulatory requirements a permanent licence may be issued.

The Atomic Energy Licensing Board has authority over the plant because radioactive materials are naturally present in rare earths.

The radiation risk has fuelled fears among local communities, environmental groups and Malaysia’s opposition party, which says it will stop the plant if elected to government.

Lynas executive chairman Nicholas Curtis welcomed the approval, adding that the company respected the government’s processes and the regulator’s decision.

“Lynas recognises its responsibility to the community to operate the plant in a safe and sustainable manner,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The final stages of construction of the LAMP are underway with first production expected in the second quarter of calendar 2012.