Question NW3210 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
29 November 2023 - NW3210
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, with reference to the two wash plants dams in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (details furnished) that are not operational, leading to the polluted water of the wash plants to regularly flow into the freshwater stream and then into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and finally into the Loskop dam (details furnished), she intends to investigate the reasons that the (a) polluted coal water of the two specified wash plants is flowing twice a day at 10:00 and 16:00 into the fresh water of the Spookspruit which flows into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and ends up in Loskopdam and (b) wash plants use a truck 13 times a day to fetch 18 000 litres of water per take, from the freshwater stream to wash the coal; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard; (2) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the water user licence for both wash plants (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
1. Beethoven Investments has two wash plant dams that are not currently operational. The polluted water from the wash plant runs regularly into the “spook spruit” freshwater stream and then flows into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and finally into the Loskop dam. This is in contravention of Section 151 of the National Water Act in relation to polluting or causing harm to a water resource.
a) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) received a complaint regarding pollution at Spookspruit and conducted an investigation on 23 January 2023. Following the findings of the investigation, DWS issued a Notice of intention to issue a Directive in terms of Sections 19(3) and 53(1) of the National Water Act to Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd (IPC beneficiary Pty Ltd). Beethoven Organics submitted an action plan to DWS indicating steps to be taken to remedy the pollution incident. A follow up inspection was conducted on 24 October 2023. The findings were as follows:
- The facility is authorized to take water from a borehole; however it was indicated by the facility representative that their borehole dried up and is therefore no longer in use. It was further indicated that Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd buys water from the neighboring mine that has a borehole. DWS officials requested Beethoven Organics to submit proof of service level agreement and borehole meter readings indicating the volume of water supplied by the mine to Beethoven.
- The facility representative, Mr Gert Swanepoel, indicated that they have one water bowser with the capacity of 15000 liters that is used to fetch water from the Pollution Control Dam (PCD) situated at Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd wash plant to be used for dust suppression.
b) The Department conducted inspection at Beethoven Organics and an investigation into the above allegations against Beethoven Investment on 24 October 2023 to further engage with the mine. The findings were as follows:
- The officials from DWS observed the said water Bowser with registration number KLV 396 MP conducting dust suppression on the road leading to the site. During the investigation, DWS officials could not find any evidence to support the allegation that water is being abstracted from the Spookspruit River using a Bowser for use in the coal washing plant.
- DWS officials further observed that the Coal Wash Plant Equipment has been set up on site but is not operational. The activities observed on site was coal stockpiling and blending. The facility is authorized for the activities currently taking place.
2. Beethoven has taken over from IPC Beneficiation (Pty) Ltd and operating with their Water Use Licence. The Department has communicated with Beethoven to change the Company Name on the Water Use Licence and to register their water uses. (See attached annexures A-C)
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