The civil rights organisation AfriForum on 21 August 2020 submitted commentary on the intended exploration application in a region of the coastal area between St Francis Bay and Mossel Bay.
SLR Consulting is applying on behalf of Total SA to drill 11 holes on the coastal area as exploration wells. This area is indispensable for the marine biodiversity on the South African coastline. In addition, a protected marine area is located just south of the intended prospecting area.
AfriForum set forth various arguments in its commentary seeing as the public participation process (PPP) was presented in webinar format and wasn’t exactly accessible for all members of the public. During the meeting, load shedding took place and therefore AfriForum is of the opinion that the process needs to be postponed until it is more accessible for all community members and until the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
“The meeting wasn’t really accessible because I couldn’t directly make assertions or ask questions. Various members of the community that wanted to become involved naturally weren’t able to, considering that not everyone has access to the internet,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager of Environmental Affairs.
“AfriForum is not opposed to any existing or intended mine activities, but as guardian of the environment it is important to participate in all processes and procedures to ensure that communities and the country are protected,” concludes De Klerk.
Become involved today and add your voice to this matter. Visit https://antiek.afriforum.co.za/mynaktiwiteite-aan-die-oos-kaapse-kusgebied/ or SMS your name to 45354 (R1).