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Cape Town - Business mogul Johann Rupert remains firmly opposed to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas in the Karoo.
He is aware of the rumour recently doing the rounds that he has changed his view, but that rumour is malicious and untrue, Rupert told Sake24 in Rapport from New York on Friday.
Rupert reiterated his view that he was not opposed to the development of the Karoo, but he felt that such development could not take place if there was any possibility of it affecting the Karoo’s underground water resources.
At the beginning of the year Rupert announced his intention to become involved in contesting fracking.
The Shell oil company, which wants to explore for shale gas in the Karoo, has not yet provided cast-iron proof that the contentious fracking will not damage the environment, said Rupert.
Rupert said his objections had therefore not been answered and he remained opposed to fracking.
He referred enquiries in this regard to Derek Light, the Graaff-Reinet attorney at the vanguard of fighting untested fracking.
According to Light, the rumour that Rupert’s had changed his stance on the advisability of fracking in the Karoo was unfounded.
Light said that Rupert and others being represented remained opposed to fracking for the reasons conveyed in the formal objections presented to the regulator.
They remained of the view that it was reckless to consider exploration under conditions where there was insufficient understanding of the process of fracking, shale gas extraction and subterranean geological and hydrological structures.
South Africa, he said, should take the lead (and not follow) and do proper research on the matter - as well as on whether shale gas extraction can be done cost-effectively and safely (without damaging human health and the environment).
Meanwhile those who have doubts about ¬fracking reckon that government should extend the moratorium on it to allow for a proper investigation.
- Sake24
For business news in Afrikaans, go to Sake24.com.
He is aware of the rumour recently doing the rounds that he has changed his view, but that rumour is malicious and untrue, Rupert told Sake24 in Rapport from New York on Friday.
Rupert reiterated his view that he was not opposed to the development of the Karoo, but he felt that such development could not take place if there was any possibility of it affecting the Karoo’s underground water resources.
At the beginning of the year Rupert announced his intention to become involved in contesting fracking.
The Shell oil company, which wants to explore for shale gas in the Karoo, has not yet provided cast-iron proof that the contentious fracking will not damage the environment, said Rupert.
Rupert said his objections had therefore not been answered and he remained opposed to fracking.
He referred enquiries in this regard to Derek Light, the Graaff-Reinet attorney at the vanguard of fighting untested fracking.
According to Light, the rumour that Rupert’s had changed his stance on the advisability of fracking in the Karoo was unfounded.
Light said that Rupert and others being represented remained opposed to fracking for the reasons conveyed in the formal objections presented to the regulator.
They remained of the view that it was reckless to consider exploration under conditions where there was insufficient understanding of the process of fracking, shale gas extraction and subterranean geological and hydrological structures.
South Africa, he said, should take the lead (and not follow) and do proper research on the matter - as well as on whether shale gas extraction can be done cost-effectively and safely (without damaging human health and the environment).
Meanwhile those who have doubts about ¬fracking reckon that government should extend the moratorium on it to allow for a proper investigation.
- Sake24
For business news in Afrikaans, go to Sake24.com.
