Integrated Regulatory Process for the proposed Rhovan In-Pit Disposal of Tailings, North West Province
22/08/2024
Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP) for the required environmental applications and licences for the proposed in-pit disposal of tailings at Glencore’s Rhovan Vanadium Mine, near Rustenburg, North West Province
Consultation Reports available for public review from 23 August 2024
Glencore’s Rhovan Vanadium Mine in the Rustenburg Local Municipality is undertaking an Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP) for the following required environmental applications and licences for the proposed in-pit disposal of tailings:
- Integrated Regulatory Process (IRP): Environmental Authorisation (EA) and a Waste Management License (WML) through a Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIR) process and the compilation of an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998; NEMA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended) and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008; NEM:WA; and
- Integrated Water Use Licence (IWUL) in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998; NWA), including an Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan (IWWMP).
An EA will be applied for under the NEMA EIA Regulations, Government Notice Regulation (GN R) No. 982 in Gazette 38282 of 04 December 2014 (as amended), for the following listed activities:
| Listing Notice | Listed Activities |
| Listing Notice 1 (GNR 327, as amended) | Listed Activity 9 – The development of infrastructure exceeding 1 000 metres in length for the bulk transportation of water or storm water. |
| Listed Activity 10 – The development and related operation of infrastructure exceeding 1 000 metres in length for the bulk transportation of sewage, effluent, process water, waste water, return water, industrial discharge or slimes. | |
| Listing Notice 2 (GNR 325, as amended) | Listed Activity 17 – Any activity including the operation of that activity which requires a mining right in terms of section 22 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) as well as any other applicable activity as contained in this Listing Notice, in Listing Notice 1 of 2014 or Listing Notice 3 of 2014, required to exercise the mining right. |
| Listing Notice 3 (GNR 324, as amended) | Listed Activity 4 – The development of a road wider than 4 metres within a Critical Biodiversity Area. |
| Listed Activity 12 – The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of indigenous vegetation. |
A WML will be applied for under NEM:WA for the following listed activities in terms of the List of Waste Management Activities, GN R No. 921 in Gazette 37083 of 29 November 2013 (as amended):
| Waste Management Activities | |
| Waste management activities in terms of NEM:WA (GN R 921 (2013) as amended in GN R 332 (2014), GN R 633 (2015), GN R 242 (2017), GN R 1094 (2017) and GN R 1757 (2022) | Category B, Activity 9 |
An IWUL Application (IWULA) will be submitted under the NWA and Regulations regarding the Procedural Requirements for Water Use License Applications and Appeals (GN R No. 267 in Gazette 40713 of 24 March 2017):
| Section 21 Water Uses |
| Section 21 (a) – taking water from a water resource |
| Section 21 (g) – disposing of waste or water containing waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource |
| Section 21 (j) – removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of an activity, or for the safety of people |
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)
- Berseba 397 JQ (RE) Portion 2
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) North West Regional Office and Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will process the EA Application, WML and IWULA respectively.
Consultation Reports available for public review from 23 August 2024
The following reports are available for public review:
- Consultation Environmental Impact Report (CEIR), with its appendices (including the EMPr and specialist investigations in support of the EA application) – from 23 August 2024 to 23 September 2024 (30 days).
- Draft IWULA Summary Report, with its appendices in support of the IWUL – from 23 August 2024 to 23 October 2024 (60 days).
A copy of the documents may be accessed below (electronic download).
Hard copies of the document can be reviewed at:
- Bethanie Business Hub
- Glencore Rhovan Vanadium Mine entrance (security office)
Public comment encouraged
Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) are invited to participate by providing comments and raising any issues of concern that they may have. Stakeholder meetings will be held during the review periods to discuss the contents of the reports. Should you wish to attend a meeting, please register your attendance by contacting J&W in order to obtain details. To register as an I&AP please contact: Anelle Lötter / Gina Martin; Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd; P O Box 1434, Rivonia, 2128; Tel: (011) 519 0200; Email: anelle@jaws.co.za / gina@jaws.co.za.
Attachments:
Rhovan In-Pit Disposal CEIR & EMPr