Share

Unlicensed coal mines supplying Eskom

Johannesburg - Eskom has been buying coal from 19 South African coal mines which do not have water licences, for at least two years, it was reported on Monday.

Under the National Water Act it is illegal for a mine to start up and operate without a water licence, Beeld reported.

According to the newspaper, Eskom has blamed the department of water affairs, and said the water licences should be issued.

"Between November 2012 and March 31, 2013, none of the providers (at the department of water affairs) who lodged applications for a water licence received that licence," Eskom spokesperson Hilary Joffe told Beeld.

Eskom had in the past reportedly repeatedly stressed that it bought coal only from legitimate mines which met all environmental requirements.

Beeld reported that, in reply to a parliamentary question about Eskom, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said it was prerequisite for Eskom that the mines from which it purchased coal complied "fully" with environmental legislation.

The department had since acknowledged that some mines were without licences and were illegally mining coal.

However, it argued that the water affairs department was struggling with an administrative backlog which prevented it from timeously issuing licences.

Water affairs spokesperson Sputnik Ratau told Beeld nobody should mine without a water licence. "It's illegal."

Eskom reportedly refused to give Beeld the names of the offending mines.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders