Vereeniging site
19 July 2007
The compliance inspection conducted under "Operation Ferro" by Environmental
Management Inspectors (Green Scorpions) at Mittal's Vereeniging site on 29 to
31 May 2007, revealed a series of non-compliances with the environmental
legislation and permits.
These include:
* a series of activities without the required environmental
authorisations
* continued dumping of hazardous waste on an un-permitted site, despite
repeated instructions from authorities to cease such activity
* particulate emissions to air that cause, have caused or may cause significant
and serious pollution of the environment
* significant and serious pollution of surface and groundwater with phenols,
iron, oil, fluoride and other hazardous substances
* failure to lodge audit reports.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), together with
the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (GDACE),
intends taking a number of steps against Mittal to ensure environmental
compliance at the site. These steps include ensuring rehabilitation in respect
of polluted soil and groundwater and commencing a criminal investigation in
respect of the continued dumping of hazardous waste on an un-permitted site,
despite repeated instructions from authorities to cease such activity.
Since January 2006, DEAT is the responsible authority for the permitting of
waste sites. According to the department's spokesperson, Mava Scott, the
contraventions at Mittal is taken particularly seriously in view of the fact
that it falls within the Vaal Triangle Air-shed Priority Area identified as an
air pollution hotspot by the Minister on 21 April 2006.
The Deputy Director-General of Environmental Quality and Protection, Joanne
Yawitch, said that, although Mittal has been in the process of implementing its
environmental "master plan" and has made some efforts to come into compliance
at its Vereeniging site, it was still in significant non-compliance with
environmental requirements and that it would have to spend time and capital to
rectify the situation. Mittal's progress will be carefully monitored by DEAT
and GDACE.
For more information please contact:
Molefe Molamu
Cell: 082 561 6261
E-mail: imolamu@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
19 July 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
