Question NW3173 to the Minister of Mineral Resources
11 September 2015 - NW3173
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1) How many no-go zones, where no mining activities may take place, has his department (a) approved and (b) rejected since the coming into force of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002; (2) (a) which areas have been declared as no-go zones, (b) on what date was (i) each application submitted and (ii) approval given and (c) what were the reasons for approval in each separate case; (3) (a) for which areas were such applications rejected, (b) on what date was (i) each application submitted and (ii) approved and (c) what were the reasons for the rejection in each separate case; (4) whether her department has received an application to declare the Lake Chrissie area in Mpumalanga as a no-go zone; if so, what is the status of the specified application?
Reply:
- (a) One (1)
(b) None
2. (a) Chrissiesmeer Biodiversity Site
(b) (i) 31 August 2009
(ii) 04 March 2011
(c) The national interest to protect the sensitive environment of areas around Lake Chrissie, commonly known as the Chrissiesmeer Biodiversity Site.
3. (a) (b) (i) (ii) (c) None
4. Yes, the area was declared on 04 March 2011 for a period of 3 years. The declaration has since lapsed and an application for extension was lodged with the Department and it is still under consideration.