1) Whether any studies have been conducted into clean coal by (a) the SA National Energy Development Institute, (b) the Council for GeoSciences and/or (c) any other entity reporting to him; if not, why not; if so, (i) when were the studies conducted and (ii) what is the status of the specified studies;
2) Whether he will make the studies available to Parliament for the purposes of oversight, information and scrutiny; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
3) On what scientific basis does he rely in his repeated statements regarding clean coal; and
4) What are the reasons that the recognised research experts of his department have not been consulted on this matter? NW73E
1) Yes, the following studies have been conducted in relation to coal:
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Research Programme/Project
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(i) Expected date of conclusion of phase
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(ii) Status
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(a) SANEDI
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Cleaner Fossil Fuel
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31 March 2022
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In progress
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(b) Council for Geoscience
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Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage
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2024
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To be conducted in 2024
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(c) MINTEK
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Coal gasification
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2020-present
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In progress
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Operability of the DC waste coal gasification concept ... |
Whether his department intends to allow municipalities to procure their own electricity; if not, why not; if so, what (a) measures has his department put in place to make the procurement processes proceed smoothly and quickly and (b) are the further relevant details?
The law has always allowed for municipalities to procure their own power. As the DMRE, we have gone further and clarified requirements and process for municipalities to obtain the necessary Section 34 Ministerial Determinations.
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1) On what grounds was a certain person (name furnished) suspended as a board member of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and (b) what are the reasons that the specified person was prevented from accessing board documents, minutes and files on 17 January 2022, a day before his suspension was served on 18 January 2022;
2) Whether he has found that the NNR Technical Subcommittee that approved the replacement of the Koeberg reactor head and steam generator on 18 January 2022 was properly constituted in light of the person’s suspension; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
3) Whether the person’s suspension has anything whatsoever to do with the Koeberg replacement decision; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what conflict of interest arises between the involvement of the person in the nuclear industry and the Koeberg decision? NW72E
In response to questions 1(a) and 3:
Serious allegations of misconduct have been levelled against the board member, and I have been requested to consider exercising the powers afforded to me under section 9(1)(c) of the National Nuclear Regulator Act, Act no. 47 of 1999. The board member has been afforded an opportunity to fully respond to these allegations, which opportunity he has accepted. ...
In light of the fact that at the beginning of this term, a discussion was held between his department, the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy and various stakeholders on the failure of his department to issue mining licences, what are the (a) details of the progress made on the issuing of mining licences to date and (b) challenges that have been experienced that resulted in a backlog? NW3377E
- Significant progress has been made in the adjudication of mining licence applications since the beginning of the last calendar year. A total of One Thousand and Eleven (1011) prospecting right applications were finalised and Two Hundred and Seven (207) mining right applications were finalised. In addition, 96 Social and Labour plans were finalised.
- The Challenges experienced included the inordinate number of appeals that ...
(1). What process was followed before Shell was granted permission to conduct seismic surveys on the Wild Coast;
(2). whether he has found that all applicable legislative requirements and processes were followed; if not, what steps did he take(a) before the blasting scheduled for 1 December 2021 and(b) after 1 December 2021? NW3263E
(1). The permission to conduct the seismic survey is part of the exploration right that Shell and Impact Africa Oil hold for the Transkei Algoa in the Wild Coast. As part of the exploration right application an environment impact assessment was carried out in 2013 culminating in the approval of the Environmental Management Programme in 2014. An independent review of the Environmental Management Programme ...
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What intervention is he planning to make to ease the pressure on motorists affected by the astronomical rise in fuel prices?
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has noted the justified anxiety of fuel users and consumers in general, following the steep fuel increases effected in recent months. The recent fuel price increases that have been experienced in the country are not dissimilar to record breaking increases that have been experienced in such jurisdictions as New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK, Singapore and ...
Whether his department was consulted when commitments in the COP26 global climate change summit were made to level down on the use of coal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what impact will this agreement have on the South African workers?
Cabinet considers and approves the Country Negotiating Position for the UNFCCC processes, with the DFFE mandated to lead negotiations on behalf of the Republic.
Whether, following the community protests against the exploration of the Wild Coast by Shell, the
allegations that his department granted Shell the authorisation to proceed despite scientific warnings that
such an exploration would affect marine life in the area and the call for the move towards green energy,
his department will consider reviewing its decision and put measures in place to protect our environment instead; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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It is worth noting that the development of the upstream oil and gas industry is part of South Africa’s
economic recovery strategy. Indigenous production of oil and gas will support the country’s energy
security and provide an opportunity for local beneficiation of oil and gas. The IRP2019 has a large
renewable energy build programme which needs to be supported by gas-to-power to ensure stability ... |
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Whether, in light of the latest figures given by his department reflecting the total number of (a) mining deaths amounting to 58 and (ii) injuries amounting to 1 824, and in view of the concerns brought forward by all mining stakeholders, there are any plans in place to improve the health and safety matters, including, but not limited to, COVID-19 matters; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; Yes, there are plans to improve health and safety performance at mines, which include but not limited to:
Conducting of Investigations and Inquiries
The Department conducts accident investigations and inquiries in case of serious mine accidents to determine the cause of each mine accident, appropriate remedial measures to prevent recurrence and in case of gross negligence by any person, then make necessary recommendations for prosecution to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Department will suspend or withdraw legal appointments and ...
What measures does his department currently have in place to ensure the (a) safety of mine workers; and (b) lowering of the high fatality rates in the mines?
Legislative Review
Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) will be strengthened through legislative amendments.
The Department has issued a guideline for a mandatory COP on the right to refuse dangerous work. All mines are encouraged to popularise this COP so that mineworkers can exercise this important right without any fear of victimisation.
The Department has also issued a ...
