matimba-health-risk-assessment_4-e511e2ce511b06c2.pdf

This report analyzes the health risks associated with air pollution from the existing Matimba Power Station and the proposed Project Alpha in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It compares scenarios with and without sulphur dioxide (SO2) controls for Project Alpha, estimating the impact on non-accidental mortality and respiratory hospital admissions (RHAs).

• The existing Matimba Power Station is the primary driver of health risks in the area, estimated to be responsible for approximately 80% of predicted premature mortality and 50% of respiratory hospital admissions.
• Without SO2 controls, Project Alpha and its associated mine expansion are predicted to cause an additional 1.75 deaths and 155 respiratory hospital admissions per year, with 1.4 deaths and 85 RHAs attributed exclusively to Project Alpha.
• Implementing SO2 controls with a 90% efficiency for Project Alpha is predicted to avoid approximately 1 death and 50 respiratory hospital admissions per year.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is the most significant pollutant regarding mortality, accounting for 82% of total non-accidental mortality, while particulate matter (PM10) is the primary driver for respiratory hospital admissions at 57%.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the least significant of the three pollutants analyzed, contributing only about 1% of total non-accidental mortality and 5% of respiratory hospital admissions.
• The highest health risks are predicted to occur in areas with denser residential settlements, specifically Marapong and Onverwacht.
• Overall inhalation-related health risks are considered relatively low because of limited exposure potential, with only about 22,000 people estimated to live within approximately 25 km of the power station based on 2001 Census data.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). matimba-health-risk-assessment_4-e511e2ce511b06c2.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Matimba-Health-Risk-Assessment_4.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. matimba-health-risk-assessment_4-e511e2ce511b06c2.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Matimba-Health-Risk-Assessment_4.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=matimba-health-risk-assessment_4-e511e2ce511b06c2.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Matimba-Health-Risk-Assessment_4.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndmatimbahealthriskassessment4e511e2ce511b06c2pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{matimba-health-risk-assessment\_4-e511e2ce511b06c2.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Matimba-Health-Risk-Assessment_4.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }