Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP) for the required environmental authorisation and licences for the proposed decommissioning and rehabilitation of Tailings Storage Facility 1 (TSF 1) and the expansion of TSF 2 at Glencore’s Rhovan Vanadium Mine, near Rustenburg, North West Province 

Final Basic Assessment Report submitted 

Glencore’s Rhovan Vanadium Mine in the Rustenburg Local Municipality is undertaking an Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP) for the proposed decommissioning and rehabilitation of Tailings Storage Facility 1 (TSF 1) and the expansion of TSF 2. The following environmental authorisation and licences are required:  

• Environmental Authorisation (EA) and Waste Management Licence (WML) through a Basic Assessment (BA) process and the compilation of an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998; NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations (2014, as amended), and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008; NEM:WA);  

• Water Use Licence (WUL) through an Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998). 

Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering and Environmental Consultants (J&W) has been appointed to undertake the EA, WML and WUL applications for the proposed project. 

The following farm portions may potentially be affected by the proposed activities: 

• Losperfontein 405 JQ (RE of portion 2) 

• Leeuwpen 403 JQ (RE) 

• Berseba 397 JQ (RE) 

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) North West Regional Office and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will process the EA and WML Application, and WUL Application respectively. 

The Final Basic Assessment Report has been submitted on 28 November 2024 to the Competent Authority – the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) North West Regional Office. 

Comments on the report can be directed to Mr Desmond Makamu, DMRE Case Officer at Desmond.Makamu@dmre.gov.za. Please ensure to use the project’s reference number – NW30/5/1/2/2/087MR and please copy J&W in your submissions to the DMRE. 

Stakeholders are invited to download a copy of the Final Basic Assessment Report from the links below:

Rhovan TSF FBAR

Rhovan TSF FBAR Appendices

Following the review of the Final Basic Assessment Report by the Competent Authority, stakeholders will be notified of the decision which will be taken as well as the associated appeals procedure.  

The Consultation Water Use Licence Application Report is available for public review until 10 December 2024. The report will be finalised, considering comments received. The IWUL Application will be submitted to the DWS and stakeholders will be notified of the outcome of the DWS decision. 

For more information, please contact: 

Anelle Lötter / Jana Minnaar, Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants, P O Box 1434, Rivonia, 2128, Tel: 011 519 0200, Email: anelle@jaws.co.za / jana@jaws.co.za