WEDNESDAY, 12.30PM
A DISPUTE between environmentalists and the minerals and energy department threatens to add sourcing and transport costs to the operations of Sasol subsidiary Sasol Chemical Industries (SCI).
The unit stands to be affected if the fuel producer has to abandon plans to extend its Sigma mining operations.
SCI’s coal requirements have traditionally been met by its Sigma underground and strip mines, but the underground mine is reaching the end of its viable life. Plans to operate a new Sigma strip mine are subject to approval of an environmental safety report which has been lodged with the minerals and energy department.
However, Save the Vaal Environment, a property owners’ group, has launched an application to set mining authorisation aside, and have the Minerals Act reviewed, on the basis that the new Constitution states that there should be community involvement at all levels of decision-making.