Fracking fears in KZN resurface as exploration looms

Another attempt is being made to locate underground natural resources in northern KwaZulu-Natal, reports Newcastle Advertiser.

Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration (ROGE) applied for exploration rights with the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) at the end of 2018 for an area encompassing Estcourt, Mooi River and other areas of northern KZN, as well as part of the Free State, coming within kilometres of Newcastle, Memel and Ladysmith.

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The period for comment by the general public closed this month.

According to documents submitted for perusal by SLR Consulting on behalf of ROGE, the application is for early-phase exploration for any indication of petroleum resources.

This will be restricted to desktop data and aerial surveys.

Conservationist Angus Burns admits that while scoping is non-invasive and based on geographical data, he is concerned it’s the proverbial ‘thin end of the wedge’.

“If the company sees something in these surveys, then the process will begin. The general feeling is that fracking [hydraulic fracturing] will be involved and this carries many negative impacts.”

In the report, SLR states that ROGE has no stimulation, pressure testing, fracking or water abstraction included in its operations – yet.

However, whether this will be the case remains to be seen.

For now, opinion and comment gathered from the public and affected parties, will be used to update SLR’s existing report for ROGE, before the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase begins.

Hundreds of submissions have been received thus far.

The report reveals only 60 per cent of land owners have been notified of ROGE’s intentions to explore for petroleum products, despite the application area including around 6 000 properties.

Burns is concerned the exploration zone is part of a broader water resource area.

“These areas produced the most surface run-off and are used for irrigation and other operations. Should you risk these areas which provide water for free, you may end up having to engineer a solution.”

Fellow conservationist Bradley Gibbons attended a public meeting on ROGE’s intention to seek exploration rights, which took place in Memel last year.

His concern is the damaging of water resources.

Stating the Newcastle area was part of a water factory, Gibbons said many surrounding mountains ‘produced’ water and formed part of both the Thukela and Upper Vaal catchment areas.

“If this water is polluted in any way – such as accidental spillage – the water will not be good for human consumption. I am not saying ROGE or a coal mine will pollute the water, but I’m saying anything could happen, where something could accidentally leak into the river.”

Gibbons stated he was not against development, and was aware of the need for energy resources, but believed development should be made in areas where no risk was posed to surface or groundwater supplies or area biodiversity.

This included the mountainous areas around Newcastle and further afield.

He feels the reason residents are so against resource mining is impact on water: “Not only can water pollution potentially result from a mine, there are also other things such as associated infrastructure that includes roads and buildings that could also affect the environment.”

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