INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO MINIMUM INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION OF AN EA APPLICATION RELATED TO SHALE GAS
Title: Interim Arrangements with respect to Minimum Information Requirements for submission of an Environmental Assessment Application related to shale gas
Government Notice: GN 619 in GG 40041 of 3 June 2016
Date of commencement: 3 June 2016
Regulation 86(3) of the Regulations for Petroleum Exploration and Production, 2015 published in GN R466 on 3 June 2015 states that, when submitting an application in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations an applicant must comply with the minimum information requirement, guidance document or decision support tool as identified by the competent authority. In this notice the Minister of Environmental Affairs confirmed that this reference to minimum information requirements must be read as a reference to Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, as amended, of the EIA Regulations, 2014 (GN R982 of 4 December 2014), until such time that more specific minimum information requirements have been published in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998. These appendices stipulate the required content of the following documents:
1. Basic Assessment Report;
2. Scoping Report;
3. EIA Report;
4. Environmental Management Programme;
5. Closure Plan;
6. Specialist Reports;
7. Environmental Audit Report.
“So what” for my operation?
Should your organisation apply for, and subsequently obtain, an environmental authorisation for exploration and production activities related to petroleum, it must be ensured that all documentation comply with the requirements of appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, as amended, of the EIA Regulations, 2014.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Facilitation of application for required environmental permits and authorisations
Shangoni has the expertise and experience to undertake the full spectrum of tasks for environmental authorisation or permit applications for our clients within the mining and non-mining sectors. This includes the statutory public participation and consultation process and all the required interactions with the regulating authorities. Shangoni’s approach towards Environmental Authorisation Application development also emphasises the management of identified risks, thus adding significant value to the organisation beyond the delivery of a report submitted to regulators for approval.
