Environmentalists are up in arms as a Gauteng based company plans to start fracking in the Dannhauser area. Fracking is a term used to describe the deliberate fracturing of underground rock formations by injecting a high-pressure cocktail of chemicals, sand and water in order to extract buried deposits of natural fuel gas.
The Gauteng based Sungu Sungu group plans to drill at least five coal bed methane exploration wells outside the town of Dannhauser as part of their exploration application.
The proposed exploration, though, came as a shock to residents in the area. Normandien resident, Philichia Potgieter, described how she first came across the proposed fracking in the area. “A few pamphlets were put up along the roads in Normandien indicating that Sungu Sungu will start drilling for gas.
They then approached two farmers and told them they would set up camp on their property, asking where they could dispose of waste, she said.”
“I contacted the KZN Conservation Association since the Normandien-area is registered as the Mpungini Conservancy.
They in turn, put me in contact with Groundwork and the Midlands Conservancies Forum. All three agencies have been amazing with their guidance and support, she added.” Ms Potgieter went on to say the community meeting held at the Dannhauser Community Hall, by Sungu Sungu, was not very productive. “They were not able to tell us about environmental impact studies, how deep the drilling would be or what sort of timeline we are looking at. Since then we have not had any contact in the area with Sungu Sungu or any further notices,” Ms Potgieter concluded.
One of the consequences of fracking is the contamination of the ground water with gas and hazardous chemicals. These pollutants can also enter the streams and rivers of the area and cause sickness. The Midlands Conservancies Forum (MCF), who have been continuously opposing and raising awareness of the impacts of fracking in the province, are concerned that the proposed area is very close to the Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam (also the catchment of the Thukela River, which will impact downstream users who are currently receiving restricted daily supplies) and could impact on the water supplies.
In an area already crippled by the drought, contamination of the major water supply could be disastrous. The deadline for public comments expired officially last week Sunday, however, the consultants, Jomela, have extended the time period due to a discrepancy.
A revised Draft Scoping Report is to be prepared and re-circulated for comment by the public due to conflicts between the current report asserting that Sungu Sungu is wanting to explore for Coal Bed Methane gas and Sungu Sungu saying they are exploring for oil.
Sungu Sungu could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.