Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) – partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 08 July 2011
The Deputy Ministers of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, and the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla, MP, today [4 July 2011] issued a stern warning to Shanduka Coal Mines in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, to comply with government regulations on environment and the National Water Act or face the music.
Shanduka Mine COO assured deputy ministers that his company would do its best to comply
The warning came after the two deputy ministers visited the mine plants this morning and found that the operation of its two subsidiaries violated the basic rules of environment and they did not have a water use license. It was also discovered that the two plants polluted a main road that passes through them by littering coal dust on the road.
At a meeting with Shanduka management the deputy ministers also warned the mine owners against operating their plants without a proper hazardous waste management policy which they said could lead to a hazardous health risk to the nearby community. The hazardous waste from the coal could also lead to the destruction of a forest which is next to the mine plants.
“We are concerned that your mine violates the basic environmental laws of this country. We are also worried that you continue with your operations without a water use license. It is arrogant of you to want to deviate a busy provincial road that is used by the public for the sake of your profits,” the deputy ministers told mine management. Continue reading Shanduka Coal Mines warned by government to comply
