A Malaysian group representing villagers and civil groups will file a legal challenge to the government's decision to approve a massive rare earths plant by Lynas, the Australian mining company .<br /><br />The Atomic Energy Licensing Board announced late on Wednesday it would grant Lynas a license to operate the first rare earths plant outside China in years, despite public protests over fears of radioactive pollution.<br /><br />It said Lynas must submit plans for a permanent disposal facility within 10 months and make a $50mn financial guarantee. <br /><br />Malaysia hopes the Lynas plant will spur growth. But the project has been the subject of heated protests over health and environmental risks posed by potential leaks of radioactive waste.<br /><br />Florence Looi reports from the eastern Malaysian city of Kuantan.
