BASIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED COGENERATION PLANT AT THE EXXARO NAMAKWA SANDS SMELTING PLANT, SALDANHA (WESTERN CAPE)
DEA&DP Reference Number: E12/2/3/1-F4/16-0533/08
Notice is hereby given, in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations published in Government Notices R385 to R387 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), that Exxaro On-Site (Pty) Ltd1 proposes to install eleven (11) internal combustion engines2 to combust furnace off-gas3 in order to generate electricity. The furnace off-gas is produced as a by-product of the existing smelting process and is currently flared.
Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd has been appointed to undertake the Basic Assessment (BA) and Public Participation Process (PPP) for the proposed construction of the Cogeneration Plant. The size of the proposed development is 70m x 70m (4900m2).
The proposed project will use the waste furnace off-gas, produced as a by-product of the smelting process, to generate electricity. This off-gas is currently flared, but can be used to generate electricity. This project will combust this furnace off-gas in internal combustion engines to generate electricity. This process is known as cogeneration.
The proposed cogeneration plant will reduce air pollution and improve the energy efficiency of the existing plant, since previously flared off-gas will be harnessed to generate electricity. Filters will be installed to reduce the particulate loading of the gas. Hence, fewer particulates will enter the atmosphere. Furthermore, it will reduce the site’s reliance on Eskom power, which is mainly generated at coal-fired power stations. This, in turn, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In order to ensure that you are kept up to date with the project, please ensure that you register as an Interested & Affected Party (I&AP) with Arcus GIBB. To register as an I&AP, kindly forward your contact details and any comments to Karin Neethling of Arcus GIBB by using the following contact details:
Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd.
P O Box 2700, Rivonia, 2128
Fax: (011) 807 5670
Tel: (011) 519 4600
Email: kneethling@gibb.co.za
1 Exxaro On-Site is the Exxaro Resources Ltd / Promethium Carbon (Pty) Ltd Joint Venture legal entity that will serve as the Project Applicant in this case
2 An engine in which the combustion of fuel and an oxidizer (typically air) occurs in a confined space called a combustion chamber
3 Off-gas is the gas that is produced on site as a result of the Smelting Process. This gas possesses energy and can therefore be used to generate electricity