28 August
2008 - Media Statement - Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism - THURSDAY, 28 AUGUST
2008: The Green Scorpions yesterday (27
August 2008) shut down operations at Independent
Foundries in Roodepoort. The directive served
on the company yesterday afternoon follows
attempts by the Environmental Management
Inspectorate (popularly referred to as the
Green Scorpions) from the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism to ensure
the foundry adequately managed and controlled
its emissions.
Departmental Spokesperson,
Mr Mava Scott said that operations would
not resume until such time as measures are
implemented to the satisfaction of the Department
which will eliminate excessive fugitive
emissions from the site.
The directive comes
after several inspections undertaken since
April 2008, during which the Environmental
Management Inspectors from both DEAT and
the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Environment (GDACE) found the following:
Ineffective pollution
abatement equipment, resulting in the release
of emissions, clearly visible above the
plant;
Excessive fugitive dust emissions emanating
at various places in the production process;
Very old, outdated furnaces;
Extremely poor housekeeping;
Poor visibility within the foundry and extremely
poor ventilation; and
No proper separation of waste.
Based on the above findings and the serious
potential harm resulting from the operations
as well as an increase in the complaints
being received following the issuing of
a pre-notice in terms of the Atmospheric
Pollution Prevention Act, a decision was
taken to employ more stringent enforcement
action. The Department was also receiving
complaints from residents in the vicinity
of Ontdekkers Road, Roodepoort West, which
is approximately five kilometres from the
foundry.
The fugitive foundry
dust emissions from the site were resulting
in an unacceptable dust nuisance issue,
in addition to having the potential to cause
groundwater and soil pollution after the
dust settles, due to the leaching of chemicals,
such as phenols and metals (present in foundry
sand and dust). The site is also situated
near a water course, increasing the potential
for sand and dust to also enter a surface
water resource.
A pre-directive was
issued to Independent Foundries on 11 August
2008 requesting reasons why a directive
should not be issued. After considering
the response from the company, a decision
was taken to issue the directive and this
was delivered to the site on 27 August 2008.
The directive instructed the company to:
cease operations at
the site until such time as repairs have
been undertaken and measures implemented
to eliminate excessive fugitive emissions
from both the sand drum and the baghouses;
submit a detailed housekeeping programme;
investigate the capture of secondary emissions
from the furnaces;
install appropriate ventilation in the roof
structure; and
provide details on all waste streams on
site and the disposal thereof.
Independent Foundries is required to comply
with the instructions in the directive once
issued, although processes are available
in the legislation that would allow them
to appeal to the Minister.
“Failure to comply with
the directive is a criminal offence and
inspectors will be closely monitoring the
company’s compliance with the instructions
in the directive, particularly the instruction
to cease with production at the site until
approval has been received from DEAT,” said
Scott.
Since the issuing of
the directive, management of the company
have expressed their commitment to urgently
implement the required measures and comply
with the legal instructions.
For media interviews contact :
Ms Frances Craigie
