NCOP
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 357
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 17 SEPTEMBER 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)
357. Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Mineral
Resources:
(1) Whether a permit has been issued to a certain company (name
furnished) for the exploration of shale gas in the Southern
Karoo Basin, near Pearston; if not, what is the position in this
regard; if so, what are the conditions of the permit;
(2) whether any study has been done to ascertain the effect of water
contamination for the area over a long-term; if not, why not; if
so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether all parties and/or stakeholders concerned were consulted
in the process of issuing such a permit; if not, why not; if so,
what are the relevant details;
(4) whether all parties and/or stakeholders concerned were granted
enough time to lodge complaints with the proposed permit being
granted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
CW453E
REPLY
1) No permit has been issued in the Southern Karoo Basin near Pearston
but an applicaton by the said company has been received over the
said areas.
2) Environmental Management Programme study aimed at addressing all
environmental aspects and impacts is currently underway and due for
submission on the 01 October 2010.
3) Not applicable as the EMP has not yet been lodged
4) See 3 above