Desalination plans move swiftly
Commissioning of South32’s water purification plant expected end September
WITHIN a mere four months, South32 could have its R32-million desalination plant up and running on its Hillside Aluminium Smelter site in Richards Bay.
The facility was originally planned to be built at the group’s decommissioned Bayside Aluminium Smelter, situated adjacent to the port, but a new alternative has cut environmental impacts considerably.
Instead of abstracting water from the sensitive Manzamnyama Canal, South32 will now draw sea water from the port using Foskor’s existing abstraction infrastructure.
This revised process means the implementation timeframe for the project is dramatically shortened, with most of the required pipeline infrastructure already in place.
In addition, the company is no longer required to apply for a Water Use License and will not affect protected trees and plants near the canal.
Speaking at the first stakeholder meeting for the project held on Tuesday in Richards Bay, environmental consultant SE Solutions’ Vici Napier said the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has been massively supportive in fast-tracking the environmental process.
‘We are fortunate that KZN and national authorities understand the severe impact of the drought on industry and have agreed to cut the review timeframe for the Basic Assessment draft from 105 days to between 30 and 45 days.
‘We hope to send the final BAR (basic assessment report) before 27 May for authorisation by mid-June.’
Jobs at stake
Napier highlighted the urgency for the project to materialise ‘sooner rather than later’.
‘Should the drought continue, the Goedertrouw Dam is predicted to be at 5% by November.
‘If the water supply to Hillside ceases, the plant will have to be shut down.
‘This will have significant knock-on effects within the local, provincial and national socio-economic environment, translating to a loss of 0.4% to the country’s GDP and more than 10% of the GDP of this area.
‘It would also cause the loss of more than 7 000 jobs in KZN, primarily based in the Richards Bay area, which will result in the loss of income for around 33 000 dependents.’
If all goes to plan, South32 Maintenance Engineer Calvin Mabedle said the plant could be commissioned by as soon as September.
He said the overall project, including the electrical and pipe infrastructure, design work and construction of the plant, will cost around R62-million.
