Lynas Corporation's Mining of Rare Earth Metals in Malaysia

Lynas Corporation's mining of rare earth metals in Malaysia

The aim of this essay is going to identify and discuss the major issue involved in the case of Lynas Corporation's mining of rare earth metals in Malaysia. Mining of rare earth metals has widely influence in a country, even in the whole world, it helps to improve the technology, energy efficiency and promotes economic development, but it definitely impacts on the environment and health of the people. Rare earth metals play an important role to high-tech manufacturing. In order to break the monopoly market to support the world’s demand for rare earth materials, Lynas is hurrying in invest rare earth refinery in Malaysia. (Bradsher, 2011). The project is controversial and received extensive attention， and people have different opinions to for and against this project. This essay will use the theoretical frameworks of corporate social responsibility and regulation to identify the major role who bears the greatest responsibility for preventing any collateral harm that may be caused by Lynas in its mining of rare earth metals in Malaysia, as well as outline and analysis the final decision of CEO in this project.

As we know, rare earth metals play an important role to high-tech manufacturing, and helps to improve technology growth and promote economic development. But, China as a largest global supplier of rare earths and occupies a monopoly position in the market. It leads to the world prices of the material to record highs. Lynas Corporation decides to invest to build and operate the world’s largest refinery in Malaysia, which may able to meet nearly a third of the world’s demand for rare earth materials. The Malaysian government approved for the investment by Lynas. (Bradsher, 2011). Although there is so-called management and safe to control the imported ore and subsequent radioactive waste in enough low levels, there were enough evidences in history to shows that rare earth causes pollution and health...