dlk001
Executive Member
On Monday Mineral Resources director-general Sandile Nogxina sent Kumba a letter rejecting its mining right application for 21.4% of the Sishen Iron Ore Mine, partly because it failed to comply with environmental laws.
Kumba says it has requested details from the department.
The documents include three toxicology reports that confirm high concentrations of toxins in soil and ground water at several sites, some capable of causing cancer.
"Some of these contaminants ... are listed as group 1 carcinogens," a report submitted by Golder Associates to Kumba in 2008 concludes.
Two reports by Ockie Fourie Toxicologists, one commissioned by Kumba and the other by Kumba contractor Emkhankasweni Waste Management Services, point to "very high concentrations" of contaminants.
Emkhankasweni CEO Armando Costa, in correspondence with Kumba officials, accuses the mining company of dumping toxic waste for years without the necessary permits, making no effort to stop toxins from contaminating soil and ground water, and failing to disclose the damning Golder findings in its annual report.
The correspondence shows Costa is embroiled in a lengthy contract dispute with Kumba.
Emkhankasweni was contracted from 2006 to 2011 to clean up 120000 tons of Kumba's toxic sludge, but its services were terminated after 44000 tons, leaving 76000 tons in an unlined dam.
The correspondence shows Costa made a presentation in 2009 to Cynthia Carroll, the CEO of Kumba's holding company Anglo American; Nicky Oppenheimer of De Beers; and Kumba CEO Chris Griffiths, outlining the extent of the pollution.
Costa said Carroll "explained to me pertinently that their three areas of primary concern were safety, health and environment".
After orders to clean up the remaining 76000 tons failed to materialise, Costa accused Kumba of "simply doing window dressing for the purposes of the coming (environmental) audit and was not serious about addressing the extensive and ongoing ... contamination of soil and ground water".
Kumba spokesman Anne Dunn said the Golder report, which was "confidential" and should not be in Business Times' possession, should be seen in context.
"This (report) was commissioned by Kumba. We have involved the regulators, and they are aware of the issues," she said.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/business/article881315.ece/Kumba-has-some-explaining-to-do
Kumba says it has requested details from the department.
The documents include three toxicology reports that confirm high concentrations of toxins in soil and ground water at several sites, some capable of causing cancer.
"Some of these contaminants ... are listed as group 1 carcinogens," a report submitted by Golder Associates to Kumba in 2008 concludes.
Two reports by Ockie Fourie Toxicologists, one commissioned by Kumba and the other by Kumba contractor Emkhankasweni Waste Management Services, point to "very high concentrations" of contaminants.
Emkhankasweni CEO Armando Costa, in correspondence with Kumba officials, accuses the mining company of dumping toxic waste for years without the necessary permits, making no effort to stop toxins from contaminating soil and ground water, and failing to disclose the damning Golder findings in its annual report.
The correspondence shows Costa is embroiled in a lengthy contract dispute with Kumba.
Emkhankasweni was contracted from 2006 to 2011 to clean up 120000 tons of Kumba's toxic sludge, but its services were terminated after 44000 tons, leaving 76000 tons in an unlined dam.
The correspondence shows Costa made a presentation in 2009 to Cynthia Carroll, the CEO of Kumba's holding company Anglo American; Nicky Oppenheimer of De Beers; and Kumba CEO Chris Griffiths, outlining the extent of the pollution.
Costa said Carroll "explained to me pertinently that their three areas of primary concern were safety, health and environment".
After orders to clean up the remaining 76000 tons failed to materialise, Costa accused Kumba of "simply doing window dressing for the purposes of the coming (environmental) audit and was not serious about addressing the extensive and ongoing ... contamination of soil and ground water".
Kumba spokesman Anne Dunn said the Golder report, which was "confidential" and should not be in Business Times' possession, should be seen in context.
"This (report) was commissioned by Kumba. We have involved the regulators, and they are aware of the issues," she said.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/business/article881315.ece/Kumba-has-some-explaining-to-do
