MPACT OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD SPRINGS RECYCLING YARD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – PART 2 AMENDMENT APPLICATION (GAUT: 002/16-17/E0309) FOR THE INCLUSION OF A 5MW SOLAR INSTALLATION

This letter gives notice to potential Interested and Affected Parties (“I&APs”) about where information can be obtained in respect of the Mpact Operations (Pty) Ltd Springs Recycling Yard Development Project – Part 2 Amendment Application and draft Basic Assessment Report (“BAR”) and draft Environmental Management Programme report (“EMPr”) available for public comment.

BACKGROUND AND LOCATION OF THE PROJECT

Mpact Operations (Pty) Ltd (“Mpact”) is one of the largest paper and plastic packaging businesses in Southern Africa. Mpact Paper, a division of Mpact Operations (Pty) Ltd, operates a paper recycling plant in Springs on Erf 228 New Era Extension 1. In 2016, Mpact applied for Environmental Authorisation for the expansion and upgrade of the existing paper storage area on site. Environmental Authorisation (Ref. No: Gaut: 002/16-17/E0309) was subsequently issued to Mpact on 17 August 2017. In 2022, Mpact investigated the option of installing a 5 MW PV installation next to the authorised paper storage area on the same property. Upon review of the existing Environmental Authorisation and consultation with the Gauteng Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (“GDARD”), it was confirmed that a Part 2 amendment is required in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (“NEMA”), Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) Regulations (2014), to include the proposed 5MW PV installation in the EMPr. The proposed 5MW PV installation will comprise of a ground-mount installation as well as a rooftop installation and will not trigger any Listed Activities in terms of the NEMA.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Legislation associated with the application

According to Section 31 of the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014: An environmental authorisation may be amended by following the process prescribed in this Part if the amendment will result in a change to the scope of a valid environmental authorisation where such change will result in an increased level or nature of impact where such level or nature of impact was not –

(a) assessed and included in the initial application for environmental authorisation; or

(b) taken into consideration in the initial environmental authorisation;

and the change does not, on its own, constitute a listed or specified activity.

The Part 2 amendment process will be undertaken in accordance with Section 32 of the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014 that requires the submission of a report, reflecting an assessment of all impacts related to the proposed change; advantages and disadvantages associated with the proposed change; and measures to ensure avoidance, management and mitigation of impacts associated with such proposed change; and any changes to the EMPR. Such report must be subjected to a 30-day commenting period and include as well as address any comments received from I&Aps during this process.

Applications submitted to competent authority.

An Environmental Authorisation amendment application was submitted to the GDARD on 24 November 2022.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

South Africans have a right to be informed about potential decisions that may affect them and to be afforded an opportunity to influence those decisions. This advertisement forms part of a Public Participation Process as part of the project. It describes the various components of the project to enable I&APs to get a better understanding of the potential environmental and social impacts that could be expected from the proposed project. It also outlines the process and the opportunities for the public to become involved during the study.

Register as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP)

Mpact has appointed Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd. as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner to undertake the Environmental Authorisation amendment application and stakeholder engagement process. To register as an I&AP to this project, or to obtain more information or submit comments, please request a Registration form from Shangoni and return it together with any comments to Shangoni at the details provided below.

Availability of the draft Part 2 amendment report

The draft Part 2 amendment report will be made available to the public for review for a period of 30 days from 24 November 2022 to 17 January 2023 (excluding the holiday period of 15 December 2022 – 5 January 2023). A hard copy of the draft Part 2 amendment report will be made available at the Mpact Springs Paper Mill operations security gate and an electronic copy on the Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za) for the duration of the public comment period.

Where to obtain more information

To obtain additional information please contact the EAP at the details provided below:

Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP): Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd

Contact person: Renate Steffens

Tel:012 807 7036

E-mail: renate@shangoni.co.za

Fax: 012 807 1014

Postal Address: P. O. Box 74726, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040