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The Water Tribunal of South Africa dismissed an appeal by Thungela Operations (Pty) Ltd against the Department of Water and Sanitation's decision to refuse a Water Use Licence (WUL) for the Palmietkuilen Mining Operation. The Tribunal found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient geohydrological and geochemical data to ensure effective long-term mitigation of water pollution, particularly regarding post-closure acid mine drainage (AMD) and the permanent loss of wetlands.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance and groundWork, has issued a formal request to the National Air Quality Officer and other authorities for the reasons and supporting documentation behind a decision to partly grant an application by ArcelorMittal South Africa (Vanderbijlpark) (AMSA). The decision relates to the suspension, alternative limits, or postponement of compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES) under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004.

This report projects that Eskom's planned non-compliance with South Africa's Minimum Emission Standards (MES) would lead to an estimated 16,000 avoidable premature deaths and significant excess emissions of SO2, NOx, particulate matter, and mercury. The health impacts are particularly acute in the Gauteng region, where 3,100 premature deaths could be avoided through full compliance. The analysis also highlights that mercury deposition would exceed health risk thresholds over 89,000km², affecting 3.4 million people.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA), groundWork, and local community members, issued an urgent notice to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 26 September 2018. The notice demands that the DEA direct ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) to remedy ongoing air, water, and soil pollution at its Vanderbijlpark operations, following the DEA's failure to act on a previous section 28(12) notice from June 2018.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA), groundWork, and affected community members, issued a formal notice to the Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 18 June 2018. The notice, submitted under section 28(12) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA), demands that the DEA take enforcement action against ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) for significant and ongoing pollution of air, soil, and water at its Vanderbijlpark operations.

A decision letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to the Sedibeng District Municipality regarding the application by ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited (Vanderbijlpark Steel Works) for alternative emission limits or postponed compliance time-frames under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004.

Eskom's June 2017 update reports progress on emission reduction retrofits at Grootvlei and Duvha power stations and a reduction in relative particulate emissions to 0.30 kg/MWhSO for FY2017. While generally compliant with postponed limits, Eskom is seeking further SO2 postponements for Matimba and Medupi stations. Additionally, a 30-house electricity pilot has begun in KwaZamokuhle as part of an air quality offset programme to transition households from coal to electricity.

This briefing by Mduduzi Mbada of the Public Affairs Research Institute outlines the GGT2030 strategy for investing in ten high-growth sectors to drive economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development in the Gauteng City Region.