28 November 2007
The Green Scorpions today embarked on a comprehensive compliance inspection
at the Highveld Steel plant outside Witbank. The inspection forms part of
"Operation Ferro", a national environmental compliance campaign in the iron,
steel and ferroalloy industry.
The inspection is expected to take place over three days and is a
collaborative undertaking between the national department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism as well as the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and
Land Administration. Full results of the inspection will only be available six
to eight weeks after the inspection.
The Green Scorpions, Environmental Management Inspectors, are joined by
officials from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Emalahleni
Local Municipality and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. Highveld Steel is
located in the Highveld area, which was formally declared a national air
pollution hotspot on Friday, 23 November 2007. For additional information click
on the following link at http://www.deat.gov.za/NewsMedia/MedStat/2007Nov26/26112007-1.pdf.
The purpose of the compliance inspection is to determine the Highveld Steel
plant's compliance with environmental legislation and all permits issued to the
plant in respect of air, waste and water.
As part of Operation Ferro, approximately 40 sites have been identified for
inspection in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northwest, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape
during the course of this multi-year project. Mittal Steel's Vereeniging plant
was the first plant to undergo a multi-day environmental compliance inspection
from 29 to 31 May 2007. For additional information on Operation Ferro
inspections click on the following link at http://www.deat.gov.za//NewsMedia/MedStat/2007Oct4/04102007.html.
Inspection results for Arcelor Mittal's Newcastle plant, BHP Billiton's
Metalloys plant in Meyerton and Hernic Ferrochrome's plant outside Brits will
be released in the next few weeks.
The iron, steel and ferroalloy industries have been prioritised in this
environmental compliance campaign as their industrial processes may contribute
significantly to pollution if not mitigated and managed properly. The same
industries are also currently undergoing a review of all their air pollution
permits by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Enquiries:
Roopa Singh
Tel: 012 310 3566
Cell: 082 225 3076
E-mail: rsingh@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
28 November 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
