THUNGELA RESOURCES PROPRIETARY LIMITED – NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION FOR AN WATER USE LICENCE FOR THE PROPOSED TEMPORARY UNDERGROUND STORAGE OF AFFECTED WATER (DWS Ref WU26460)

This advertisement gives notice to potential Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) about where information in respect of the application for the Temporary Underground Storage of Affected Water at Greenside Colliery can be obtained, as well as the opportunity for I&Aps to comment on the draft Water and Waste Management Plan (“WWMP”).

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

Thungela Resources Proprietary Limited owns and operates the Greenside Colliery. The proposed Temporary Underground Storage of Affected Water at Greenside Colliery includes the conveying of dirty water from the plant and coal stockpile areas, towards seven (7) boreholes drilled within trenches to divert affected water towards two seam underground voids. Underground water, which is being pumped to surface, for the safety of the mine workers, from the operational four seam and five seam plants; will also be gravity fed towards the two seam underground voids.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Procedure applied to the application

Given the nature of the two-seam underground storage activity and the potential impacts associated with the storage, a Water Use Licence (“WUL”) in terms Section 21(g) is required, from the Department of Water and Sanitation (“DWS”), Olifants River Catchment area. The following water activities will be applied for: Section 21(g) of the Act: Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource.

Application submitted to competent authority

An application in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (“NWA”), was opened with the Department of Water and Sanitation (“DWS”).

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

People 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 WUL process. It describes the various components of the project to enable I&APs to get a better understanding of the potential environmental, economic and social impacts that could be expected from the proposed project. It also outlines the WUL process and the opportunities for the public to become involved during the course of the study. Public participation will be conducted in terms of GN.R 326 of National Environmental Management Act 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, which provides for the notification and participation of any interested and affected parties.

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

You may register as an I&AP. To register as an I&AP of 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 by no later than 15 August 2023 at the details provided below.

Availability of the Water and Waste Management Plan Report

The WWMP is available to the public for review for a period of sixty (60) days, from 15 June 2023. Please complete the register subsequent to reviewing the report. Alternatively, e-mail or fax your comments to Shangoni (details provided below) by no later than 15 August 2023.  An electronic copy of the WWMP will also be posted on the Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za) for public comment for the same period of sixty days.

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: Ilke Nel

Tel: 012 807 7036

E-mail: ilke@shangoni.co.za

Fax: 012 807 1014

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