GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Just one day after a report on research conducted by Agri SA into fracking was published, the government has given the go-ahead for shale gas development in the Karoo region, according to Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane. Minister Zwane was speaking during a community meeting in Richmond last Thursday.
He said that government had taken a decision to proceed with the development of shale gas in the Karoo formation of South Africa based on the balance of available scientific evidence. Assurances were made that the farming community would benefit from shale gas development.
He said the regulatory framework would ensure that shale gas was "orderly and safely developed" through hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The department has estimated that up to 50 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of shale gas is recoverable in the Karoo Basin, especially in the Eastern, Northern, and Western Cape provinces.
Minister Zwane said that they were mindful of the risks and challenges of the development, especially on water and the environment, and claimed that a socio-economic and environmental assessment had been conducted beforehand. He said they were committed to developing the resource sustainably.
The challenge on water resources is the focus of the nine-page report – “Fracking and Water: Is there enough to go around?” – from Agri SA. Although shale gas has been touted as a potential boon for the country’s economy‚ communities have reacted negatively‚ citing pollution to water sources and the water-intensive nature of the mining as chief concerns. The conclusion of Agri SA’s report is that fracking should not be considered for South Africa because of a lack of qualified scientists and laboratories‚ incomplete information on water sources and a shortage of “institutional capacity to ensure proper water management”.
Agri SA researcher Gregory Smith said South Africa was a water-scarce country and that water supplies in the Karoo were under severely threatened by pollution and depletion, with demand on the rise because of population growth‚ industrialisation‚ mechanisation and urbanisation.
“Shale gas development is a water-intensive process and would increase pressure on the availability of sufficient water of an acceptable quality with a reasonable surety of supply in an already dry Karoo,” wrote Smith.
According to him‚ citing figures provided by the Mineral Resources Department‚ each fracking well would use about 24‚000m³ of water, equivalent to the irrigation of three hectares of lucerne for one year.
Smith said a comprehensive set of information was needed before fracking was even considered‚ including exactly how much water was needed to ensure that all competing needs were met. But he was particularly concerned about the country’s ability to make sure water was properly managed.
Citing the lack of groundwater scientists and technicians in South Africa with the experience associated with shale gas development, he also pointed out the lack of infrastructure and institutional capacity to ensure proper water management. “Laboratories in South Africa are not equipped to analyse water quality parameters and water treatment facilities lack the expertise to accommodate the wastes associated with shale gas development,” he said.
“These structures need to be put in place before shale gas development can be considered. Water is a source of livelihood for the farming community and it is important to have a full understanding of possible future conflicts of interest and the recommendations made to minimise any potential risks”.
Meanwhile, Minister Zwane told the community of Richmond last Thursday that "Government will ensure that you are kept up to date about the exploration method and benefits that can be realised from the development of shale gas and informed about the mechanisms and instruments that seek to augment existing laws for the protection of water resources and for the protection of the environment”.
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