More rare earth? I could do with some good news please

While the Malaysian are publicly criticizing the soon-to-be-completed Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Gebeng, Kuantan. I read another shocking news on http://www.themalaysianinsider.com, dated 27th May 2011,  reported by Debra Chong - Link to full text. Part of the news reads :


"A Hong Kong company and the Perak government have agreed to explore and mine for rare earths in the state, even as controversy is raging over the Lynas refinery in Pahang. 

In a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange dated April 18, CVM Minerals Limited — linked to Ho Wah Genting Berhad — announced it had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Perak State Development Corporation (PSDC) to carry out the project in Bukit Merah, Ipoh. The Hong Kong company, through its local subsidiary CVM Metal Recycle Sdn Bhd, has applied to the state’s land and mineral office for a licence to explore the area, covering 250 hectares, for rare earths ..."  (Malaysia Insider, 27th Apr 2011)


I simply don't get it (do you?), Malaysia does not have abundance rare earth deposits in our ground, we have merely 35,000 tonnes REE reserves in our ground, that's the figure from Mineral Commodity Summaries 2010. Appreciate any comment to correct me here. Thanks for reading