(1) Who is responsible for enforcing the environmental compliance of mining rights holders (a) before, (b) during and (c) after completion of mining operations?
(2) what (a) number of environmental compliance orders were issued against mining rights holders (i) in the (aa) 2017-18 and (bb) 2018-19 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2019, (b) was the nature of the infringement in each case, (c) remedial action was taken in each case and (d) is the current status of each (i) compliance order and (ii) issue from which the infringement arose? NW1286E
(I) The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is the competent authority to deal with environmental compliance and enforcement as per the Provisions of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) as amended.
This applies throughout the different phases of mining.
(2) (a)(i)(aa) 2017-18
(bb) 2018 -19
(ii) Since April 2019
295 Notices and 13 Directives
385 Notices and 08 Directives
43 ...
Whether any mining, prospecting and exploration rights have (a) been issued and/or (b) applied for in Ward 1 in the Emfuleni Local Municipality; if so, in each case, what (i) are the details of the right granted and applied for in terms of the (aa) location, (bb) mineral sought and (cc) applicant's details, (ii) is the current status of the application if a right has not yet been granted and (iii) public participation process was followed?
(1) Whether, with reference to the fact that Eskom cannot comply with the minimum standard of emissions as it is too costly, his department looked at other resources for generating energy for instance solar and wind; if not; why not;
(2) What is the possibility of doing a feasibility study on both solar and wind by looking at the cost as well as employment opportunities? NW2140E
(1) Yes, Eskom's compliance with the minimum emissions standards (MES) is currently being monitored by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The draft IRP 2019 explored scenarios wherein through the energy mix, we reduce the aggregate emissions profile of South Africa's energy generation sector. In order to mitigate against high emissions, provision is made for other technologies to meet the supply/demand gap, taking into account ...
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(I) With reference to his statement made on 10 July 2019 during his department's Budget Vote, what are the details of the other methodologies besides fracturing that his department is going to focus on to access shale gas in the Karoo;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
(1) The Department is still conducting research on the different methodologies.
(2) No
DDG: Mineral Policy and Promotion
Ms N Ngcwabe
Date: 26/09/2019
Recommended
Advocate T Mokoena
Director General: Department of Mineral Resources
Date: 30/09/2019
Approved
Mr SG Mantashe
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date: 15/10/2019
1) Whether the Government made any investments in energy resources such as coal, oil, gas or other mineral resources and/or any beneficiation process for energy resources or the direct supply of energy outside the borders of the Republic (a) in the (i) 2017-18 and (ii) 2018-19 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2019; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full relevant details of each specified investment, including the (aa) cost, (bb) expected benefits and (cc) details of the process followed in each case; and
2) Whether any feasibility studies were conducted before making each investment; if not, in each case, why not; if so, (a) what were the (i) findings and (ii) recommendations in each case and (b) who conducted each feasibility study? NW1084E
1) (a) (i) The Government has not made any investment in the energy resources for 2017/18 financial year (ii) Only SFF, CEF Group subsidiary had invested in South Sudan during 2018/19 financial year.
(b) The Nile-Orange Energy Project (NOEP) is an ambitious strategic project spread in full Hydrocarbon value chain and currently ongoing in South Sudan between South African Government (Represented by Strategic Fuel ...
(1) With reference to his reply to question 26 on 8 July 2019, by what date will he table the forensic report in the National Assembly;
(2) whether any disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found to be implicated; if not, in each case, why not; if so, (a) what is the name of each person found to be implicated and (b) by what date will disciplinary action be taken in each case;
(3) whether any (a) criminal and/or (h) civil action is envisaged as a result of the conclusion of the investigation; if not, why not; if so, what is the (i) name of each person in this regard and (ii) current status of the criminal and/or civil action;
(4) Whether the costs incurred as a result of (a) the sale of the strategic fuel reserves under investigation, (b) the resulting investigation and (c) all criminal and civil action taken and planned will be recovered from those persons found guilty; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW1287
(1) The forensic report will be tabled in Parliament once all the necessary internal governance processes are completed.
(2) Appropriate action and sanction will be taken against those found to be implicated in due course.
(a) Given that the civil litigation and parallel criminal investigation processes are at a sensitive and critical stage and we would not want to jeopardise the case it is ...
(1) What is the status of the Thyspunt site, in the Kouga Local Municipality, which was intended to be the site of the nuclear build programme;
(2) why are public participation processes around the specified site continuing;
(3) what is the status of the nuclear build programme? NW1481E
1. Thyspunt remains one of Eskom's suitable sites to host a nuclear power plant. It has undergone extensive environmental studies in the form of environmental impact assessment and nuclear site safety review by independent consultants. Eskom has submitted nuclear site installation license (N ISL) applications for Thyspunt in order to get the site ready for any South African future nuclear power plans.
2. Site ...
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(a) What is the combined generation capacity of rooftop solar installations in the Republic according to his department's estimate and (b) what number of hours of load-shedding was prevented by such installations? NW1157E
a) There are no official rooftop solar 1nstaiied capacity numbers as most of these installations were considered "generation for own use" in line with the old Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) which exempted !hem from the requirement to be licensed or registered. Realising the impact these installations are likely to have on capacity planning, power systems operations and personal safety, in ...
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Whether he has a plan in place to ensure the safety of mine workers. Particularly when trade union members and workers decide to embark on a strike while they are underground; if not. why not: if so. what are the relevant details?
The legislation compels all underground mines to ensure that all employees are brought to surface as soon as possible at the end of their shift, as per regulation 4.1.1 in force in terms of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996, as amended. The primary objective of this regulation is to prevent mine employees from being exposed to ...
(1) What are the relevant details of {a) the treaties, {b) the memoranda of understanding and {c) any other written agreement that the Republic has committed to regarding its involvement in the Grand Inga Hydroelectric Project
(2) whether each written agreement was tabled in the National Assembly; if not, {a) which agreements have not been tabled and (b) why not, in each case; if so,
(3) what amounts have been paid to {a) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (b) any other party for the hydroelectric project;
(4) by what date does lie envisage will the Republic begin to receive electricity from the Grand Inga Hydroelectric Project? NW1181 E
(1) The Republic of South Africa has entered into three instruments with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the energy sector, namely:
(a) Treaty on the Grand Inga Hydropower Project between the between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo {29th October 2013)
(b) (i) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of ...
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