APPLICATION FOR AN EXPLORATION RIGHT FOR PETROLEUM ON VARIOUS FARMS IN THE FREE-STATE AND KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCES (350 ER): Notice of Decision
As you are aware, Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Rhino Oil & Gas) lodged an application for an exploration right with the Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA) in terms of section 79 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002) (MPRDA) over an area of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (Ref: 12/3/350). Rhino Oil & Gas subsequently made an application to PASA for environmental authorisation of exploration activities as required in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA).
SLR Consulting (Pty) Ltd managed a Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in terms of the EIA Regulations 2014 (as amended) to inform an environmental authorisation decision. The Environmental Impact Assessment Report was submitted to PASA for decision-making on 06 October 2020.
This letter serves to inform you that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) granted environmental authorisation (dated 12 February 2021) to Rhino Oil & Gas in terms of Regulation 24 of the EIA Regulations, 2014 for the proposed exploration activities as detailed (i.e. desktop studies, an aerial FTG survey and data interpretation). A copy of the DMR’s decision and the reasons for such decision can be provided on request and are available on the SLR website (https://www.slrconsulting.com/public-documents).
Your attention is drawn to the fact that an appeal may be lodged against the environmental authorisation decision in terms of the National Appeals Regulations, 2014 (as amended). Should you wish to appeal the decision or any aspect thereof, you must submit an appeal in the prescribed form and in accordance with Chapter 2 of the National Appeals Regulations, 2014, within twenty (20) days from the date of this notification. Your appeal must be submitted to the Minister at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Forestry, with copies sent to the DMR and PASA, by one of the following means:
| Method of submission | Department of Environmental Affairs | Department of Mineral Resources | Petroleum Agency South Africa |
| Attention: | Director: Appeals and Legal Review | Director: Legal Services | The Chief Executive Officer |
| Facsimile: | – | 086 710 0877 | – |
| Post: | Department of Environmental Affairs
Private Bay X447 Pretoria 0001 |
Private Bag X59
Arcadia 0007
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Private Bag X5111,
Tygervalley, 7536 |
| By hand: | Environmental House,
Cnr Steve Biko and Southpansberg Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083 |
Trevenna Campus,
Building 2C, C/O Meintjies and Francis Baard Street, Sunnyside, 0007 |
Tygerpoort Building,
7 Mispel Road, Bellville, 7530 |
| Email: | appealsdirectorate@environment.gov.za | Pieter.Alberts@dmre.gov.za | EAappeals@petroleumagencysa.com |
A copy of your appeal must also be provided to Rhino Oil and Gas, care of SLR Consulting:
Subject: Appeal on 350 ER
Fax: 011 467 0978
Postal: PO Box 1596, Cramerview, 2060
Email: 7201803400016@slrconsulting.com
Information on the prescribed form of an appeal, as well as assistance regarding the appeal process is obtainable from the Appeals Administrator at the Department of Environmental Affairs at: Tel: 012 399 9356 and email: appealsdirectorate@environment.gov.za.
Thank you for your involvement in the Scoping and EIA process.
Yours faithfully
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