NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 1144
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 1 APRIL 2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 10)
1144. Mr I O Davidson (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether she has ever declared certain environmentally sensitive
areas off-limits to prospecting and mining applications in terms
of section 49 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development
Act (MPRDA), Act 28 of 2002; if not, why not; if so, what are
the relevant details;
(2) whether she intends invoking section 49 of the MPRDA in the
future to declare certain environmentally sensitive areas off-
limits to prospecting and mining applications; if not, why not;
if so, (a) when and (b) how will the environmentally sensitive
areas be determined;
(3) whether she intends to consult widely in determining where these
areas should be; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details? NW1268E
REPLY
1. Yes
2. Yes, in principle
a. Not determined
b. The area will be determined in consultation with affected departments
and informed by their respective mandates including that of the
Department of Mineral Resources.
3. Yes. The relevant details will be determined when the time arises and
the circumstances are known.