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Earthlife Africa Johannesburg (ELA) submitted formal objections to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regarding a license application by Thabametsi Power Company (Pty) Limited to operate a 630MW coal-fired power plant near Lephalale, Limpopo. ELA argues that the project is financially risky, environmentally damaging, and inconsistent with South Africa's international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

This document is a formal exchange between the Life After Coal (LAC) campaign—a joint effort by the Centre for Environmental Rights, groundWork, and Earthlife Africa—and Eskom. The LAC objects to Eskom's applications for alternative emission limits and exemptions from the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for the Medupi and Matimba power stations. Eskom defends its use of legal mechanisms for postponement and exemptions, citing financial constraints, the need for energy security, and the principles of sustainable development.

This report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) evaluates the air quality, health, and economic impacts of the proposed Lephalale Coal Mine (LCM) and its associated independent power plant (IPP) in South Africa. The analysis identifies significant underestimates in a previous environmental impact assessment (EIA) and projects substantial premature deaths, morbidity, and economic losses over the project's 35-year lifecycle, particularly if coal is burnt at existing power plants lacking emission controls.

This document contains the First Respondent's (the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) heads of argument in a judicial review application brought by Earthlife Africa. The Minister argues that the application is fatally flawed because it relies on new evidence not presented during the original administrative decision-making process and seeks to treat the court as an appeal tribunal rather than a review court. The Minister contends that the environmental authorisation (EA) granted to Lephalale Coal Mines (Pty) Ltd was rational, reasonable, and compliant with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), specifically regarding need and desirability, climate change impacts, and public participation.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights outlines projected climate impacts across three geographic areas of South Africa—Limpopo/Lephalale, Emalahleni/Mpumalanga (Highveld), and the Western Cape and coastal regions—across three timeframes from 2021 to 2100, corresponding to temperature increases of 2°C+, 3-4°C, and 4°C+.

A statement from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs amending the Environmental Authorisation (EA) issued on 25 February 2015 for the IPP Thabametsi Power Station, a 1200MW coal-fired power station near Lephalale, Limpopo Province.

In a letter dated 8 April 2016, Gunn Attorneys, representing Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Ltd, outlines the status of environmental authorizations for the proposed 1200MW Thabametsi Power Station in Lephalale, Limpopo. The company committed to completing climate change and palaeontological impact assessments as directed by the DEA. The letter clarifies that the finalization of the Air Emissions License and the submission of the water use licence action plan are dependent on the project being named a preferred bidder in the Coal Base Load Independent Power Producer Programme.

A letter from the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs notifying the Centre for Environmental Rights that, following a March 2017 High Court order, the Minister has reconsidered the appeal against the environmental authorisation for the proposed 1200MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station in Limpopo Province.

A cover letter from Matimba Power Station to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism submitting a correlation test report to comply with Minimum Emission Standard requirements.

This November 2006 report by Airshed Planning Professionals (Pty) Ltd, commissioned by Eskom Holdings Limited, assesses the inhalation-related health risks associated with the existing Matimba Power Station and the proposed Project Alpha power station in the Lephalale area of Limpopo Province. The study focuses on particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), utilizing CALPUFF dispersion modelling and 2001 census population data to estimate premature mortalities and respiratory hospital admissions.

This document is an annual emissions report for the Matimba Power Station, submitted by Eskom to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. It covers the reporting period from April 2016 to March 2017, detailing verified emissions of carbon dioxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, as well as compliance with atmospheric emission licenses.

This document is an excerpt from Eskom's Air Quality Strategy (Unique Identifier: 32-1143), detailing the company's approach to ambient air quality monitoring, atmospheric dispersion modelling, stakeholder engagement, and research. It outlines specific emission targets for existing power stations, a retrofit plan to meet Minimum Emission Standards, and a strategy for coal beneficiation to reduce emissions.

A letter from the IPP Office to the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding the Coal Baseload IPP Programme and the appeal against the environmental authorisation for the Thabametsi Independent Power Producer Power Station.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs of South Africa dismissed an appeal by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg (represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights) against the Environmental Authorisation (EA) granted to Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Ltd for the Thabametsi Power Station. While the Minister upheld the project's approval, the decision included specific amendments to the EA's conditions regarding runoff water and surface water monitoring.

A letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs approving an amendment to the Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the 1200MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station, specifically updating the designated holder of the authorisation.

This document is a supplementary affidavit submitted by Earthlife Africa NPC to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). It presents formal objections to the license application of Thabametsi Power Company (Pty) Limited for a proposed 1200MW coal-fired power plant in Lephalale, Limpopo. Earthlife argues that the project is unnecessary, financially inefficient, and poses severe risks to water security, air quality, and climate goals.