VP044323
APPLICATION FOR MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT PLANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXISTING SASOL PIPELINE NETWORKS CROSSING GAUTENG, MPUMALANGA, NORTH WEST, AND FREE STATE INVITATION TO REGISTER AS INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES AND PARTICIPATE SRK Consulting South Africa (Pty) Ltd (SRK) is hereby giving notice in terms of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended) promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended) (NEMA) of an application for the adoption of Maintenance Management Plans (MMPs) associated with the existing Sasol Pipeline Network located in the Gauteng Province (GP), Mpumalanga Province (MP), North West (NW), and Free State (FS). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Sasol engages in numerous activities to maintain the integrity of its existing pipeline infrastructure network. The pipelines transport methane gas, natural gas, ethylene, ethane, and liquid propylene. The Sasol Pipeline Network constitutes existing infrastructure, of which most of the pipeline network have been installed prior to the promulgation of the EIA Regulations. More recent installations, for which Environmental Authorisations (EAs) were required, were executed in compliance with the EAs. Whilst routine planned maintenance is required on the existing Sasol Pipeline Network, the majority of the maintenance, are normally unplanned, as the Sasol Pipeline Network is old and mostly buried for protection against temperature fluxes and vandalism. The integrity of the pipelines may become compromised. In extreme situations, compromised pipes need to be replaced. These MMPs therefore relate but is not limited to the undertaking of routine assessment work of the pipelines to verify the attributes of the pipeline, informing decision-making regarding potential repairs and the feasibility of future integrity assessments, and the execution of pipeline maintenance and repairs. Activities will be located within or in close proximity to watercourses and within Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) or Ecological Support Areas (ESAs). LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS: The NEMA and EIA Regulations (2014, as amended) require EAs for certain listed activities. For the Sasol pipelines crossing the GP, MP, NW, and FS, the following listed activities are relevant. Listing Notice 1Activity Activity 19*The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 10 m3 into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles, or rock of more than 10 m3 from a watercourse. The proposed works will involve the excavation and removal material in excess of 10 m3 from the delineated extent of a watercourse. Activity 27*The clearance of an area of 1 hectare or more, but less than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation. This activity may be triggered if areas of more than 1 hectare of indigenous vegetation is cleared i.e. within servitude and wetland buffer areas. Listing Notice 2Activity Activity 15*The clearance of an area of 20 hectares or more of indigenous vegetation. This activity may be triggered if areas of more than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation is cleared i.e. within servitude and wetland buffer areas. Activity 24*The extraction or removal of peat or peat soils, including the disturbance of vegetation or soils in anticipation of the extraction or removal of peat or peat soils. Activities may be required to be undertaken in wetlands containing peat or peat soils. Listing Notice 3Activity Activity 12* (b), (c), (f), and (h)The clearance of an area of 300 square meters or more of indigenous vegetation. This activity may be triggered if indigenous vegetation is cleared exceeding 300 square meters withing the wetland or its buffered zones. *The Regulations specifically note exclusions where such activities are conducted for the maintenance purposes in accordance with an adopted MMP. Therefore, this application is for MMPs and not EAs. PROJECT PROPONENT: Sasol Gas (Pty) Ltd PROJECT LOCATION: The Sasol Pipeline Network transverses properties located in various Local and District Municipalities in the GP, MP, NW, and FS. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER: SRK has been appointed to undertake the MMP application process. INVITATION TO REGISTER AND PARTICIPATE: Stakeholders are invited to register on or before 24 July 2026. Registered Stakeholders will be given an opportunity to comment on the Draft MMP. In order to allow the EAP sufficient time to address questions and concerns comprehensively, early submissions are encouraged. TO REGISTER, SUBMIT COMMENTS, OR REQUEST FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mr Vusi MasangoDr Laetitia Coetser +27 (0) 12 361 9821+27 (0) 12 361 9821 VMasango@srk.co.za LCoetser@srk.co.za
Reference Number: VP044323
