19 July 2007 - Media Statement
- Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism
THURSDAY, 19 JULY 2007: The compliance
inspection conducted under "Operation
Ferro" by Environmental Management
Inspectors (Green Scorpions) at Mittal’s
Vereeniging site on 29-31 May 2007 revealed
a series of non-compliances with environmental
legislation and permits.
These include:
A series of activities without the required
environmental authorisations.
Continued dumping of hazardous waste on
an unpermitted site, despite repeated instructions
from authorities to cease such activity.
Particulate emissions to air that cause,
have caused or may cause significant and
serious pollution of the environment.
Significant and serious pollution of surface
and groundwater with phenols, iron, oil,
fluoride and other hazardous substances.
Failure to lodge audit reports.
The Department of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism (DEAT), together with the Gauteng
Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Environment (GDACE), intends taking
a number of steps against Mittal to ensure
environmental compliance at the site. These
steps include ensuring rehabilitation in
respect of polluted soil and groundwater,
and commencing a criminal investigation
in respect of the continued dumping of hazardous
waste on an unpermitted site, despite repeated
instructions from authorities to cease such
activity.
Since January 2006, DEAT is the responsible
authority for the permitting of waste sites.
According to the department’s spokesperson,
Mava Scott, the contraventions at Mittal
is taken particularly seriously in view
of the fact that it falls within the Vaal
Triangle Air-shed Priority Area identified
as an air pollution hotspot by the Minister
on 21 April 2006.
The Deputy Director-General: Environmental
Quality and Protection, Joanne Yawitch,
said that, although Mittal has been in the
process of implementing its environmental
“master plan” and has made some efforts
to come into compliance at its Vereeniging
site, it was still in significant non-compliance
with environmental requirements and that
it would have to spend time and capital
to rectify the situation. Mittal’s progress
will be carefully monitored by DEAT and
GDACE.
Molefe Molamu
