19 February 2010
Media statement
Department of Environmental Affairs
FRIDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2010: The Minister of
Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa
Sonjica is concerned about the latest media
reports that Coal of Africa has been awarded
an unconditional New Order Mining Right
(NOMR) near Mapungubwe in Limpopo.
The Minister is concerned
that with Mapungubwe being one of the 7
proclaimed World Heritage Sites in South
Africa, this latest development could adversely
affect its position. Mapungubwe has not
only gained international importance, but
stands as symbol for the highest honour
in the country that is conferred by the
State President for achievements in the
international area which have served South
Africa's interests. The Order of Mapungubwe
has four classes and has been granted to
the former Presidents Nelson Mandela and
FW De Klerk as well as other 23 recipients
for the outstanding achievements.
The Mapungubwe National
Park is situated approximately 7km to the
West of the area earmarked for mining. As
the oldest known large settlement in Southern
Africa, and the precursor to Greater Zimbabwe,
this site is of not only regional, but international
importance. This is why the area is not
only designated as a National Park, but
also a Trans-frontier Conservation Area,
a World Heritage Site (WHS) and a Biosphere
Reserve.
It is not known what
the effect of blasting will be on the surrounding
archaeological sites and graves. Tourism
development in the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
will be negatively affected by the 24/7
lighting, blasting and noise and may destroy
the sense of place permanently, and with
it, the sustainable job opportunities from
tourism and tourism growth.
The Department of Environmental
Affairs has requested the Department of
Mineral Resources for a copy of the NOMR
before deciding on the way forward in this
regard.
Further, Minister Sonjica
has decided to engage with the Minister
of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu,
to look at the mining activities around
not just Mapungubwe, but all environmentally
sensitive areas.
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WASTEMAN KLERKSDORP
INCINERATOR SHUT DOWN DATE EXTENDED
10 February 2010
Media statement
Department of Environmental Affairs
WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2010: The Green Scorpions
(Environmental Management Inspectorate)
yesterday, 09 February 2010 granted the
Wasteman operated incinerator in Klerksdorp,
North West, an extension on the facility
shut down date from 15 February to 09 March
2010.
A blitz into several
of the Wasteman premises executed in late
November last year had found the Klerksdorp
incinerator to be in contravention of many
of its permit conditions.
A final compliance notice
was served on Wasteman in respect of the
activities at the Klerksdorp incinerator
on 24 December 2009 providing them with
35 working days within which to cease with
all operations at the site. The due date
for cessation of operations was therefore
15 February 2010.
Wasteman was also requested
to provide the Department with reasons as
to why the permits applicable to the site
should not be suspended or revoked.
The office of the Minister
of Water and Environmental Affairs has received
an application from Wasteman requesting
the instructions in the notice to be suspended
and objecting against the notice. The Minister
is in the process of considering this application.
A site inspection by
the Green Scorpions on 05 February 2010
revealed that a significant amount of work
in a short space of time has been done in
the form of upgrades and refurbishments,
which have resulted in a substantial decrease
in the fugitive emissions. The visual inspection
also indicated that the incineration process
has been optimized, resulting in more efficient
air flows and an improvement in combustion
efficiency. This will, however, need to
be confirmed by the emission test results
due to be submitted to the Department at
the end of this week. A Safety Health and
Environmental officer is also on site to
oversee all operations until the date of
closure and to ensure compliance with protocols,
procedures and conditions of applicable
permits.
The extension of time
for closure of the facility until 09 March
2010 will allow for the results of the emissions
testing to be considered as part of the
application for suspension and objection.
Wasteman is expected to urgently inform
their customers of the timeframe extension.
