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1
orextippler
From: [email protected]
Sent: 06 July 2013 07:28 PM
Subject: FW: Transnet Iron Ore Tippler 3
I refer to my previous e-mail requesting to be registred as an interested and affected party.
I support the comments listed in the e-mail below.
Regards,
HE Botes
From:[email protected] Sent:2013/06/14 05:43:25 PM To: Cc: Subject:FW: Transnet Iron Ore Tippler 3
Attention: Gibb
I believe I am already registered as an I&AP, but if not the case please do so.
My details as follows:
GJ van Niekerk
Tel: 083 644 5697
E-mail: [email protected]
Address: 4 Duiker street, Blouwaterbaai, Saldanha
Comments and concerns:
• I am in favour of this port development and its associated economic benefits to the West Coast
• However, I do not want any adverse environmental impacts effecting the surrounding area and residential
properties.
• In the past, a residential property owner’s forum was established which held frequent discussions with
Saldanha Port Authorities and which eventually lead to the Port Authority paying for the re-painting of
residential properties effected by the air borne iron ore dust, emanating from the port operations.
• I urge you to obtain the information list of all Saldanha residents who used this monetary payment to re-
paint their properties and which gave feedback of such actions in accordance with the Saldanha Port
Authority procedure.
• I then urge you to contact all those people on the list and enquire regarding the current state of the
properties i.e. defacement of exterior wall surfaces, as well as to conduct a survey to evaluate for yourself
the effect of the air borne iron ore dust over the past couple of years.
• The agreement with Portnet was that only those property owners who used the money to re-paint their
houses and gave proper feedback and proof of such work, will be able to claim for re-painting their
properties again in future, if exterior walls were again defaced by iron ore dust, due to iron ore dust
pollution and/or non-compliance to the relevant Saldanha Port environmental procedures.
I will await your feedback and actions in this regard.
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Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours sincerely
Gideon van Niekerk
Cel: 0836445697
From: Annelies Van Niekerk [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 14 June 2013 05:13 PM
To: Gideon van Niekerk Subject: Fw: Notification of Basic Assessment
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Kate Parkinson <[email protected]> To: "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]> Cc: 'Jaana Ball' <[email protected]>; "'Norbert Klages ([email protected])' ([email protected])" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 4:57 PM Subject: Notification of Basic Assessment Dear Madam/ Sir, Transnet SOC Ltd proposes to expand the iron ore tippler facility in the Port of Saldanha. The proposed project entails the provision of a third tippler and associated infrastructure to ensure that current export volumes of 60 million tons per year are sustained during refurbishment of existing tipplers. The project requires environmental authorisation from the national Department of Environmental Affairs. GIBB (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners to undertake the Basic Assessment Process, as well as the associated Public Participation Process for the project. Since you have shown an interest in related projects previously you have are being sent the background information document (BID). Please note you must re-register as an interested and affected party (I&AP) if you wish to receive additional information. Please note the registration period for this basic assessment closes on 16th July 2013. Please register and submit comments using the contact details found on the last page of the BID. Do not reply to this e-mail address. Kind Regards GIBB Public Participation Office Kate Parkinson Environmental Scientist Tel: +27 41 392 7500
Email: [email protected]
2nd Floor, Greyville House, Cnr Greyville & Cape Rd, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth 6001 PO Box 63703, Greenacres 6057 Fax: +27 41 363 9300 Web: www.gibb.co.za
This email is subjected to the legal disclaimer of GIBB which is available on the GIBB website: www.gibb.co.za
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This message (and any associated files) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is confidential, subject to copyright or constitutes a trade secret. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or distribution of this message, or files associated with this message, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Messages sent to and from us may be monitored. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secured or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. Therefore we do not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions that are present in this message, or any attachment, that have arisen as a result of email transmission. If verification is required, please request a hard copy version. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
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orextippler
From: Pieter Stegmann <[email protected]>
Sent: 18 June 2013 02:38 PM
Subject: FW: TRANSNET AEL APPLICATION: OBJECTION: INFRASTRUCTURE FACTS AND
QUESTIONS: LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Flag Status: Flagged
Sir / Ms, No addition or expansion to Transnet Saldanha Terminal can be done before major changes to the infrastructure is made. Tippler 3 will require an extension to the open sided conveyor belt system and an increase in the number of open air stockpiles. This will result in an increase in iron ore dust emission. The approval of the 1 July 2011 Atmospheric Emission Licence, to increase the export volume from 47 to 60 million tons, WITHOUT ANY CHANGE TO THE CURRANT INFRASTRUCTURE have increased the dust emission drastically. The dust pollution extent now 10/15 km North and 10/15 km South of the Terminal. The licensing authority, West Coast District Municipality, have fail to execute their duty according to the Air Quality Act and is now under investigation by the Public Protector. Transnet Terminal have now again apply for the renewal of their licence that expired 31 March 2013. The e-mail below and the next e-mail tomorrow explain the present AEL application situation with legal consequences and possible strict infrastructure changes at the Terminal. Kindly confirm my I&AP registration. Regards, Pieter Stegmann Langebaan
From: Pieter Stegmann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 18 June 2013 12:17 PM
To: '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]' Cc: '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'Langebaan Rate Payers Assosiation'; '[email protected]';
'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]';
'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'Helene Meissenheimer (Uys)'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'
Subject: TRANSNET AEL APPLICATION: OBJECTION: INFRASTRUCTURE FACTS AND QUESTIONS: LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Dear Mr. Harold Cleophas (Executive Mayor West Coast District Municipality), the Speaker, Mr. Kruger and Mr. Prins, Municipal Manager. My e-mail dated 2 June 2013 (as well as previous e-mails in this regard) refer.
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Transnet (Port Terminal, Saldanha - the "company) and their legally appointed "Consultant" WSP Environmental (Pty) Ltd, after 14/21 days, have fail / refuse to answer the questions with regard to the information in the application form. It is now your responsibility to investigate and verify the suspected information in the application, brought to your attention by me. The Terminal Executive Manager made a declaration to the application that the information provided in the application is in all respects factually true and correct. That he is aware that the supply of false or misleading information in the application form is a criminal offence in terms of section 51(1)(f) of the Act. If the verified information, supported by sworn affidavits by two WCDM inspection officials as well as from the Terminal Manager, his Environment Manager and Chief Engineer (required by a court of law) confirm that the information in the application is false or misleading, as mentioned with reasons below, then you must take legal action against the Terminal Manager and or Accounting Officer in terms of section 51(1)(f) of the Act. 1. Kindly verify that Mr. Theo Peterson with his e-mail address (my e-mail returned "undelivered") is the responsible environment officer as mentioned in the application. The Environment Manager at Saldanha Terminal is at present Mr. Rejean Viljoen. 2. Transfer Points. a. Schedule 5.4.5 of the application identify 30 source points (origin of dust pollution). Twelve of the 30 source points are identified as "Transfer Points" no. 7.1 to 10.2. These twelve "Transfer Points" represent 40% of all the dust emission source points? This is a new and unknown source point for me. Kindly verify and explain what is "Transfer Point" and the position of each within the operational process. b. Addendum B, 4, Figure 5 - page 7 (mitigation dust emission - watering points). Figure 5 at the bottom refer to plant layout (unclear faint print) and conveyor numbering that is incomprehensible for a lay man. It show one "transfer point" on the conveyor system - does it refer to a watering point on the conveyor belt system? 3. Total number of stockpiles. Schedule 5.4.5 identify 7 (seven) stockpiles as source points. However, Schedule 4.4, Graphical process information, Process flow chart, identify 15 stockpiles. These conflicting information in the application must be verified. At the beginning of 2011 the Environment Manager told me, a day after I have visited the Terminal, that there are 30 stockpiles. Nine months later, with my second visit to the Terminal, he said that there are 40 stockpiles. The number of reserve stockpiles will increase proportionally to the increase in export volume. These conflicting number of stockpiles must be verified on site. If there are more than 7 stockpiles, as I strongly suspect, then the Terminal Manager have made a deliberate false declaration in an attempt to deflect attention away from the priority 1 source of pollution. Kindly confirm the total number of stockpiles. 4. Conveyor belt system. Schedule 4.2 (should read 4.3), Unit Process, identify "Conveyors" as one of six major "unit" processes. However, the conveyor belt system is not identified as a dust emission source point! Schedule 5.4.5. The omission of a major source point, possible 10/15 km long, is a very serious matter and can be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to mislead. Of all the 30 source points the highest emission figure is allocated to five roads! Schedule 5.4.6, 12.1-4, 13. The conveyor belt run along side the roads. Transnet own dust emission figures serve as prove that the conveyors is a major source of dust that pollute the roads. The layer of dust on the roads is the result of dust coming from the conveyors and stockpiles. A road cannot be the source / origin of iron ore dust.
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Kindly advise what is the total kilometre length of the full conveyor belt system at Transnet Terminal. 5. Possible False or Misleading Information (to be verified). Transnet and WCDM know very well, since 2011, that I have identified three priority sources of dust emission / pollution at Transnet. To deflect the attention away from these "unit" processes they have split the units in parts (two tippler baghouses plus 30 source points) a. Priority 1 is the exposed open air reserve stockpiles with the four stacker (building of 18m stockpiles) / reclaimers (type of watermill with buckets excavating the ore from a stockpile) that cause the most emission / pollution of iron ore dust. The abovementioned graphic process chart (15 stockpiles) confirm that the large number of reserve stockpiles together with the four huge stacker / reclaimer mining machines servicing four stockpile production lines form one unit.. The open air stockpiles and open air handling of ore is the priority 1 source of dust emission / pollution that must be eliminated or covered. i. Therefore, the number of stockpiles, as many as 40 stockpiles, is vital information. Transnet refer to 7 stockpiles only. ii. In an attempt to deflect, if not to deceive WCDM and the public, Transnet split the UNIT (priority 1) in many parts. Schedule 5.4.5 (30 source points) and identified THE UNIT SOURCE POINT per EACH stockpile and per EACH machine separately. b. Priority 2. The loading of ships (full export volume) is a major source of pollution. The two ship loader machines also form a unit source point. This priority 2 issue involve dust emission issues that I will address separately. c. Priority 3. Conveyor belt system. (a) The many km length of conveyor belts (b) divided by many parts that overlap each other and (c) the exposed sides (mostly North and South winds) is a major contributor to dust emission. The omission of the conveyor belt system and Transnet / consultant refusal to say what is the total length of the conveyor belt system is on its own an admission of guilt. These infrastructure facts brought to your attention with possible legal action by you the licensing authority, necessitate your urgent attention. Kindly supply me with the requested information. Regards, Pieter Stegmann Registered I&AP Tel: 022 7721291 PS. I have now been notified that Transnet Company is making a change to their infrastructure by adding a third Tippler Baghouse that will increase the conveyor belt system as well as the number of stockpiles.
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orextippler
From: Pieter Stegmann <[email protected]>
Sent: 22 June 2013 02:47 PM
Subject: FW: TRANSNET TIPPLER 3: TRANSNET AEL APPLICATION: INFRASTRUCTURE
EMISSION FIGURES UNRELIABLE
Attachments: Weslander 2 - letters and photo's.jpg; weslander 1 - letters and photo's.jpg; J31459
Tippler BID_low res.pdf
Thank you for confirming that I am a registered I&AP. Kindly take note of this e-mail as part of my objection with my e-mail dated 18 June 2013. Regards, Pieter Stegmann
From: Pieter Stegmann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 19 June 2013 12:21 PM
To: '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]' Cc: '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'Langebaan
Rate Payers Assosiation'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]';
'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'Helene Meissenheimer (Uys)'
Subject: TRANSNET AEL APPLICATION: INFRASTRUCTURE EMISSION FIGURES UNRELIABLE
Dear Mr. Cleophas, Mr. Kruger and Mr. Prins (personally accountable for the issuing of the AEL). Please read this e-mail with my e-mail dated 18 June 2013 (infrastructure facts). The renewal Licence cannot be issued on the basis of the information provided by the Transnet Port Terminal, Saldanha - Company, in their 2013 application. The first paragraph of the issued Licence, 1 July 2011, read: Quote: "the AEL has been issued on the basis of information provided in the company;s application dated 25 November (Sept.?) 2010 and information that become available during processing of the application." THE 2013 AEL APPLICATION FORM: COMMENTS 1. SCHEDULE 3.2. Description of surrounding land use (within 5 km radius) a. You and your officials should take note that Transnet restrict their application to their operational area. All their facts and emission figures do not include the surrounding area. Their NEMA pollution "legal" limit is five kilometre of surrounding area that the law allow! They break the law, Act and Licence, when dust emission exceeds 5 km as per the relevant NEMA Acts. The visual iron ore dust (stains) in three towns serve as proof / evidence. b. The visual currant pollution extend 10/15 km to the North and South of Transnet Terminal, a radius of 30 km! c. The Blue Water Bay residential area, 2 km away, is within this 5 km area. South of the Terminal, just outside the 5 km limit, is a newly built Curo School and Laguna Mall, Club Mykonos Resort and many new housing developments. The closeness of Blue Water Bay, a school and many new residential areas cannot be ignored by Transnet and you / WCDM, as you did with the first application.
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d. This surrounding area situation demand a drastic and immediate legal and licence action to change Transnet infrastructure to eliminate dust emission from Transnet ore Terminal to contain ore dust within their operational area alone. e. The actual "Description of surrounding land use" should include Vredenburg and Langebaan that include 90% of all schools, hospitals, Malls and housing developments / residential area's within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area! Three towns! 2. ACTUAL CONSUMPTION / PRODUCTION. 42 MILLION TONS. Schedule 5.1 and 2 of the application indicate the actual consumption rate and actual production capacity of 42 million tons. I have now receive evidence, see annexure 3, page 1, from Transnet themselves that the actual tonnage is close to 60 million tons. The drastic increase in pollution confirm this tonnage figure. This new information confirm that Transnet Manager made a false declaration in his application. I have doubt the 42 million tons figure in the application. This was the reason why I have ask you for copies if the Company's latest two annual reports. I suspect that they are exceeding 60 million tons! I now demand that YOU supply me with the audit annual reports. 3. FACTS (dust source points) AND FIGURES (dust emission) INFORMATION SUPPLIED IN APPLICATION The facts and figures are unreliable and do not reflect the true and actual operational situation at the Ore Terminal for the following reasons: a. FACTS - SOURCE POINTS. Two tippler baghouses (schedule 5.4.1) plus 30 source points (schedule 5.4.5). i. Two tippler baghouses (brick buildings for unloading of ore train trucks). ii. Seven stockpiles only (WCDM TO VERIFY). Priority 1 source point. Including 4 stacker/reclaimer machines. iii. Two ship loading machines. Priority 2 source point. iv. Twelve transfer points. (WCDM to explain) v. Five roads! The layer of dust on the roads is not the source but the result of dust coming from the conveyors along side the roads and stockpiles. Identifying roads as source point is most misleading. vi. Excluding the conveyor belt system. This Priority 3 source point is NOT identified as a dust emission source point! b. FIGURES - DUST EMISSION (schedule 5.4.4 and 5.4.6 read with 5.4.8 - and other legal / monitoring / formula info mentioned). NOTE: Monitors. It is scientifically (wetenskaplik) IMPOSSIBLE to measure / determine the dust emission from each stockpile or each source points as given in the application. Due to (a) the closeness of the stockpiles, (b) 24/7 operations creating and working away of stockpiles (affecting all the source points), (c) the 18 meter height of stockpiles - six stories (monitors on the ground), (d) the air flow in waves crossing monitors and hills, (e) fluctuation in wind directions and wind strengths that spread the dust over a vast distance and area that cannot be measured by any number of monitors. Not within the operational area or immediate surrounding area or the 30 km surrounding area. The 24 hours ore handling operation with wind exposed open air stockpiles cannot be "intermittent" but is a "continuous" emission of iron ore dust from the Ore Terminal.(schedule 4.3 actually read 4.4). i. Transnet allocate dust emission figures to each source point that is impossible. They "legally" manipulate the figures, own admission, by "assuming" and "estimate" the "average" emission
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figures. I suspect they use the figures from x-number of monitors to arrive at an average pollution figure. Divide this figure by the number of stockpiles to determine the emission figure for each stockpile! They may also, to improve their figures, divide the average monitored figure by the specified 30 source points! ii. Transnet allocate the dust emission figure of 0.223 g/s to each of the two ship loaders. The lowest figures of all the 30 source points (excluding one small stockpile). This is absurd! All export ore concentrate at this ship loading source point through which 42 million tons pass - each ship loader handle 21 million tons (for argument sake). The emission figure for each of the four stacker / reclaimer machines is 0.786 g/s who each handle only 10.5 million tons. Excluding ± 25% ore going directly from the train trucks to the ship loaders! Transnet own figures illustrate that the emission figures quoted in the application is unreliable and the ship loader emission figures manipulated not to expose this as a Priority 2 pollution source point! b. Dust emanating from each road is 4.83 g/s. Nearly 20 times higher than the emission from each 0.223 g/s ship loader! These figures is absurd! The dust on the road/pier under the ship loaders, that I have seen, is ten times more than the average on the roads. However, the road emission figures confirms the visual pollution situation within the whole Terminal area. That the emission of dust from the open air stockpiles, ship loaders and conveyors (running along side the roads) pollute (a) the whole operational area and (b) the surrounding veld/bridge/road next to the Terminal and (c) extend beyond the 5 km surrounding area. c. That, with the increase in export volume at Transnet there was proportionally also a drastic increase in iron ore dust pollution experienced in three towns covering a radius of 30 kilometre. d. There was no change in operations at Saldanha Steel Factory that may have cause also an increase in iron ore dust pollution, other than at Transnet Port Terminal (increase from 47 to 60 million tons). e. There is no red ground / soil in Langebaan or Saldanha Bay, only white sand near the lagoon, that may be a source of red iron ore stains. f. The undisputable fact remains that (a) iron ore pollution extend 10 km North to Vredenburg and 10 km South to Langebaan and (b) the visual presence of iron ore dust pollution in the towns serve as proof THAT (a) there is only one source from where this iron ore dust can come from and that is from the Ore Terminal which alone (b) handle "42 million tons" of iron ore versus one stockpile at Saldanha Steel Factory. g. Transnet emission figures do not (cannot admit guilt exceeding 5 km) explain the severe and visual dust pollution in Vredenburg (summer winds) and Langebaan (winter winds). Attached Weslander letters and photo's published March 2013 and those published by AgriForum June 2013 serve as evidence / proof that contradict Transnet dust pollution / emission figures. As well as my complaint since September 2010 to Transnet, my house inspected January 2011 (three times over 5 months) / as seen by Transnet Environment Manager and confirmation by WCDM environment official and official from the Western Cape Provincial Government. Together with my three reports and numerous e-mails that serve as documentary evidence with regard to the previous application and it also apply to this application. h. Comment. An environment auditor's audit report would be base solely on the limited information available to him. The restrictive scientifically situation mentioned above make it impossible for the auditor to report the true and actual situation at the Terminal. Neither can he deny the presence of iron ore dust in Langebaan and Vredenburg.
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4. REPORTS by Transnet submitted to WCDM Authority - mentioned in Addendum A and B. The above doubtful "facts and figures" will also be reflected in the reports submitted to WCDM. Transnet according to Addendum B, schedule 11.13.7,8 and 9 have fail to execute its "duty of care" to contain the atmospheric dust emissions, The letters and photo;s in the Weslander and my complaint since September 2010 serve as proof and evidence. 5. Transnet abuse the prescribed application form to manipulate (assume, estimate, average) their "facts and figures" in their application.. 6. RECOMMENDATION. That the WCDM apply severe "sanctions" against Transnet Port Terminal, Saldanha - the company, in terms of section 28 of the NEMA DUE TO (a) late submission of application (knowing the time needed to process the application) and that they now operate without a licence, (b) the unreliable information in their application and (c) their failure to execute their "duty of care" in terms of the 1 July 2011 licence causing a drastic increase in iron ore dust pollution effecting the health of residence and damages to state and private properties within a radius of 30 kilometre! Three towns! In view of the "information that become available during processing of the application," mentioned above and my previous e-mail, you need to take legal action against Transnet Port Terminal, Saldanha, the Company. Kindly advise. Regards, Pieter Stegmann Registered I&AP
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orextippler
From: James Matthee <[email protected]>
Sent: 20 June 2013 09:23 AM
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: SALDANHA ORE TIPPLER 3
Attachments: BLOUBAAI TRANSNET.doc; DSC02810.JPG; DSC01776.JPG; DSC01777.JPG;
DSC01778.JPG; DSC01784.JPG; DSC01785.JPG; DSC02808.JPG; DSC02809.JPG
Flag Status: Flagged
Ek is die eienaar van Johanstraat 12, Blouwaterbaai, Saldanha.
My posadres is Wethmarstraat 19, Malmesbury, 7300
My e-pos adres is hierdie een.
My selfoon is 083 286 9197
Herregistreer my asseblief as ‘n Belanghebber.
Aangeheg ‘n opsomming van my korrespondensie met Transnet sedert 2006. Ten spryte van hulle erkennings en
ondernemings, het hulle nog GEEN pogings aangewends om my te vergoed vir my skade nie.
Aangeheg ook onlangse foto’s – nadat my huis reeds 2 maal oorgeverf is. Duidelik het die besoedeling nie verbeter
sedert “ regstellende maatreels” gedoen is nie – dit het vererger. Transnet verkies om my skrywes te ignoreer, of
maak lee beloftes.
Hierdie voorgestelde derde “ tippler” sal beslis die besoedeling verder vererger en Transnet weier om
verantwoordeliheid te aanvaar vir die skade – ondanks erkenning daarvan..
Die uwe
James Matthee
---------------------------------------------- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. ----------------------------------------------
The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board trades as CapeNature
Board Members: Dr Colin Johnson (Chairperson), Ms Francina du Bruyn (Vice Chairperson), Mr Mico Eaton, Dr Edmund February, Prof
Francois Hanekom, Mr Eduard Kok, Mr Carl Lotter, Dr Bruce McKenzie, Ms Merle McOmbring-Hodges, Prof Gavin Maneveldt, Adv
Mandla Mdludlu, Mr Danie Nel
Gibb Public Participation Office By email: [email protected] Dear Ms Parkinson Re: Proposed 3rd Tippler and associated infrastructure, Port of Saldanha (Transnet Iron Ore Tippler 3) – Background Information Document. CapeNature would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed activity and wish to make the following comments:
1. The site for the proposed tippler was historically covered by Saldanha Flats Strandveld. Although the tippler site has been largely transformed, natural vegetation could still be impacted on by the associated infrastructure and services that will be required and this should be taken into consideration. Other vegetation types such as Saldanha Limestone Strandveld may also be impacted.
2. We will comment in more depth once detailed reports and specialist studies have been received.
CapeNature reserves the right to revise initial comments and request further information based on any additional information that may be received. Yours sincerely
Alana Duffell-Canham For: Manager (Scientific Services)
SCIENTIFIC SERVICES
postal Private Bag X5014 Stellenbosch 7599
physical Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve Jonkershoek
website www.capenature.co.za
enquiries Alana Duffell-Canham
telephone +27 21 866 8000 fax +27 21 866 1523
email [email protected]
reference SSD14/2/6/1/8/4/POSaldanha_3rdTippler_Transnet
date 21 June 2013
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orextippler
From: Health & Therapy Clinic <[email protected]>
Sent: 04 July 2013 09:55 AM
Subject: Construction of 3rd tippler
Hi All We as the Ratepayers association of Vredenburg is an interested and affected party to this matter. We would like to respond in saying we do not see the necessity for more tipplers in the port, because the two that are there makes enough dust that covers our whole area at the moment. We will only agree if the present dust problem can be stopped, and no dust will leave the port in future. Regards Morgan Smit Chairman E-mail: [email protected] Willie Goosen Secretariat E-mail: [email protected]
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orextippler
From: Pieter Stegmann <[email protected]>
Sent: 05 July 2013 01:48 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; 'Jacqueline Hutchinson'; 'Jan
Hattingh'; [email protected]; [email protected]; 'Wilene Smit';
[email protected]; 'Tyrone Jacobs'; [email protected]; 'Langebaan Rate
Payers Assosiation'; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; 'Helene Meissenheimer (Uys)';
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: TRANSNET RENEWAL LICENCE: WSP "COMMENTS AND RESPONSES REPORT"
Mr. Markus (WCDM) and Mr. Sean Doel (WSP), WSP Environment report dated 28 June 2013 refer. 1. I stand by my formal objections address in my three e-mails: a. E-mail dated 18 June 2013 (Infrastructure Facts and Questions: Legal Implications). Awaiting verification by WCDM. Transnet cannot implicate themselves to answer my question of how many stockpiles was there at the time they submitted their application. They know exactly how many stockpiles are there at any given date. That is their core business. They refuse to identify and explain the "Transfer Point" sources. The 27 km long conveyor belt do not consist of one or two km long sections therefore the number of 12 "Transfer Points" as source points is suspicious. b. E-mail dated 19 June 2013. (Infrastructure Emission Figures Unreliable) read with three monitor issues below (addendum to this e-mail). c. E-mail dated 24 June 2013 (DA Policy and recommended conditions to the licence). 2. The RO Desalination plant is not operational since 1 May 2011 due to "technical problems" a senior Transnet official told the Weslander. Transnet cannot take the risk to pour 43 tons of waste per month into the lagoon (at the end of the pier) in response to my Report 2 dated 11 April 2011. THREE MONITOR ISSUES (Transnet application dust emission figures unreliable) 3. Transnet response in general is that they operate according to and within the environmental Laws. The principle issue is: Whether the Ore Terminal is the primary source / cause of dust (any kind of dust including iron ore pink dust) generated by human activity effecting air, sea and land from Vredenburg to Langebaan. The Ore Terminal deny accountability base on the results of their monitors. 4. Monitors is an aid to measure dust emissions but it is not the ultimate and final means to prove compliance with the Law. The following three monitor issues will proof that the monitor figures supplied by Transnet do not reflect the true and actual dust emission from the Ore Terminal. The figures I use only serve as an example to illustrate the point (three issues) that I want to make. a. VOLUME. A monitor measure a square metre (for argument sake). A figure of 4.63 grams per square metre was allocated to each road (general layer of dust in the full operational area). This is an insignificant figure but most misleading. Example. When one pour a teaspoon of sugar in a
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coffee mug the sugar cover the bottom area of the mug. Measuring one square millimetre the result is 4 gram. Divide the full bottom area into squares and you have 50 squares of a millimetre each. Multiply 50 squares times 4 gram and the total volume is 200 grams (one tea spoon) in the mug. The Terminal area is 0.69 square kilometre that is 6,900 square metre. Multiply 6,900 squares times 4.63 grams per square metre then the total dust volume is 31,947 grams within the area of the Ore Terminal. The dust generated within the operational area exceed the legal limit. The one square metre monitor figure present by Transnet in their application do not reflect the volume result. I suspect the operational area is most likely 5 square kilometre including the pier. This significant volume of (iron ore) dust can come from only four "unit" sources within the Ore Terminal (human activity) namely (a) the open air stockpiles with four stacker / extractor machines, (b) the ship loaders pouring ore from a height of four metre through the open air into the ships, (c) the 27 km long open sided conveyor belt system and (d) the two tippler baghouses. Open air infrastructure issues. Note re (b): A loaded ship can drop more than 6 meter increasing the ore exposure to wind from the ship loaders to more than 10 metre. b. 20% / 80% AIR EMISSION. Monitors within the Terminal area measure only 20% of the average dust released into the air. (20% - giving Transnet the benefit of doubt). The fallout of the most heavy dust particles (20%) occur within the operational area. The lighter particles (80%) escape into the air crossing the monitors and boundaries of the Terminal. The more lighter dust particles are carried 10/15 km far before fallout occur in Vredenburg and Langebaan. Note. Their monitor figures record the average / assume figure as one cannot shift the monitors each time the wind change direction. The continuous 80% dust that escapes the Terminal monitors increase the actual volume dust emission from the Terminal from 31,947 grams (20%) times 4 (80%) equal 127,788 grams! Exceeding their legal limits excessively. The visual pink dust serve as proof that not even the WCDM can deny. Transnet stress compliance with the Law base solely on the average 20% dust emission recorded by their monitors within their operational area. They, with full knowledge, deliberately ignore / deny responsibility, the 80% dust escaping in the air. They attribute this dust to other environment factors in their response! c. PERIOD OF 24 HOURS (A DAY). Transnet monitor figures refer to one period of 24 hours only. The figure of 4.63 grams per single square meter per one period of 24 hours (a day) is on its own most misleading. The monitoring period of a single day, supplied by Transnet in their application, ignore deliberately the continuous, day after day, month after month, (iron ore) dust emanating from the Ore Terminal that accumulate over a period of time. Over a period of 30 days the volume of dust escaping the Ore Terminal is 3,833,640 million grams per month! 5. CONCLUSION. a. The total VOLUME of dust (4.68 g/c covering 9600 square meter = 31,947 g/c) is the true and actual dust emission figure within the boundaries of the Ore Terminal that exceed the lawful limit of 1,200 (industrial) and 600 (residential - Blue Water Bay residential area within 2 km). b. The monitored figures record only 20 % of the average dust emission generated within the Ore Terminal. c. The monitored figure for a single 24 hours day do not reflect the accumulated result of a continuous 24 hours 7 days a week (application info) dust emission from the Ore Terminal.
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d. The three monitor issues, volume, 20% / 80% air emission and period of 24 hours (per day) expose Transnet emission figures as unreliable (to put it mildly) and it does not reflect the true and actual dust emission from the Terminal. e. The 80% volume of (iron ore) dust released day after day accumulate against buildings in Vredenburg and Langebaan. These three monitor issues for once and all destroy the monitor myth and legal basis of Transnet denying responsibility for (iron ore) dust pollution within Saldanha Bay Municipal area for a radius of 30 km. f. Add to this the fact that Transnet Terminal is the one and only ore operator that handle close to 60 million tons of iron ore. g. The dust pollution did increase with the increase in the export volume since September 2010. Confirm by my formal complaint per registered letter and up to March / June 2013 published in the Weslander news paper. These reported facts contradict Transnet claim that there was a decline in dust emission the past three years. The above facts confirm the principle issue that Transnet Ore Terminal is the primary source and cause of excessive and unlawful dust emission within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area. That they are fully accountable for the (iron ore) dust that stains and causing damages to state and private properties from Vredenburg to Langebaan. 6. OBJECTION TO ANNEXURE C: TPT SALDANHA DUST MITIGATION ACTION PLAN a. Overall objection. The propose conditions to the renewal licence with timeframes will have no affect on the excessive dust emission from the Ore Terminal. It does not change the currant infrastructure nor change the open air handling of ore from the three priority unit dust sources. b. The propose "conditions" mainly address standard operating and maintenance procedures that do not address the dust pollution at all. c. Serial ERM 009 - monitors to detect dust exceedance from site - confirm (above) that Transnet is fully aware of the volume of dust escaping from the Terminal. No number of border monitors can monitor the dust passing the monitors in the air as explained above. 7. Kindly take note that WSP Consultant cannot act as an "appeal" authority. WSP Consultant was appointed by Transnet and is remunerated by Transnet and act on behalf of Transnet (the "trespasser") and cannot therefore act as the neutral appeal authority as has been done with the previous consultant with the 2011 licence. Regards, Pieter Stegmann Registered I&AP PS. It is noted that Saldanha Bay Municipality have fail to register I&AP to protect the local residence.
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orextippler
From: Kate Parkinson <[email protected]>
Sent: 08 July 2013 12:00 PM
To: [email protected]; '[email protected]'
Cc: [email protected]; Linda Mercorio ([email protected])
Subject: FW: Notification of Basic Assessment
Hi Wade,
Please send the tippler BID to [email protected] using the tippler email address and also send the port BID using the port email address. Thanks
Kate Parkinson Environmental Scientist Tel: +27 41 392 7500
Email: [email protected]
2nd Floor, Greyville House, Cnr Greyville & Cape Rd, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth 6001 PO Box 63703, Greenacres 6057 Fax: +27 41 363 9300 Web: www.gibb.co.za
This email is subjected to the legal disclaimer of GIBB which is available on the GIBB website: www.gibb.co.za
From: S ERASMUS [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 08 July 2013 11:19 To: Kate Parkinson
Subject: Re: Notification of Basic Assessment
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN This project falls outside the Northern Cape Province. Do not register us as I&Ps, or send us further documentation. Kindly update your WESSA contact details. Consult our website www.wessa.org.za or contact Helena Atkinson, the Regional Manager in the Western Cape at [email protected]
Unlike most other Regions, WESSA Northern Cape is unstaffed, and run by a group of volunteers. We currently have nobody on our Committee to handle the Conservation portfolio, and pressure of work means that we are not able to participate in Environmental Impact Assessments at this time. Please note that a lack of response does not mean that we condone this project; it simply means that we do not have the capacity to respond to all correspondence received. In the interest of saving paper, trees and costs, please do not post any hardcopies or discs to us, unless specifically requested. We cannot currently deal with these and they will be destroyed.
Our contact details: Please do not use the e-mail address [email protected] for WESSA correspondence. Kindly send all documents to WESSA:NC at [email protected]. Our fax (053 842 1433) belongs to the McGregor Museum, and should only be used under exceptional circumstances, and for single pages only. This is a communal machine, so please mark all documents clearly ‘WESSA’, or direct them to me by name. We prefer to communicate by e-mail.
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Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. Suzanne Erasmus Chairperson WESSA Northern Cape c/o McGregor Museum PO Box 316 8300 Kimberley tel 053 839 2717 w fax 053 842 1433 w cell 082 849 7655 e-mail [email protected] http://www.wessa.org.za/
----- Original Message ----- From: Kate Parkinson To: [email protected] Cc: 'Jaana Ball' ; 'Norbert Klages ([email protected])' ([email protected]) Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 5:10 PM Subject: Notification of Basic Assessment Dear Madam/ Sir,
Transnet SOC Ltd proposes to expand the iron ore tippler facility in the Port of Saldanha. The proposed
project entails the provision of a third tippler and associated infrastructure to ensure that current export
volumes of 60 million tons per year are sustained during refurbishment of existing tipplers.
The project requires environmental authorisation from the national Department of Environmental
Affairs. GIBB (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners to
undertake the Basic Assessment Process, as well as the associated Public Participation Process for the
project. Since you have shown an interest in related projects previously you have are being sent the
background information document (BID).
Please note you must re-register as an interested and affected party (I&AP) if you wish to receive
additional information. Please note the registration period for this basic assessment closes on 16th
July
2013.
Please register and submit comments using the contact details found on the last page of the BID. Do not reply to
this e-mail address.
Kind Regards
GIBB Public Participation Office
Kate Parkinson Environmental Scientist Tel: +27 41 392 7500
Email: [email protected]
2nd Floor, Greyville House, Cnr Greyville & Cape Rd, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth 6001 PO Box 63703, Greenacres 6057 Fax: +27 41 363 9300 Web: www.gibb.co.za
This email is subjected to the legal disclaimer of GIBB which is available on the GIBB website: www.gibb.co.za
1
orextippler
From: Andrew Julyan Transnet Freight Rail SLD <[email protected]>
Sent: 12 July 2013 08:45 AM
To: orextippler
Subject: RE: Reminder of J31459 Tippler3 I & A Registration closing date
Hi,
Please keep my name on you I&AP distribution list.
Where do I find the “Register as an I&AP and submit your comments in writing or by completing the available Comment Sheet” ? Kind regards,
Andrew Julyan IMS Manager IOM Business Unit Transnet Freight Rail
022 703 3568
083 284 6739
www.transnet.net
From: orextippler [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 12 July 2013 08:33 AM
To: [email protected] Subject: Reminder of J31459 Tippler3 I & A Registration closing date
Dear Sir/ Madam,
This email serves as a reminder that the I&AP registration period for the below mentioned project closes on 16th
July. If you would like to continue to be informed of the project please register using the contact details in the
signature line of this email or on the last page of the attached background information document.
If you have already registered for the project please ignore this email.
Transnet SOC Ltd proposes to expand the iron ore tippler facility in the Port of Saldanha. The proposed
project entails the provision of a third tippler and associated infrastructure to ensure that current export
volumes of 60 million tons per year are sustained during refurbishment of existing tipplers.
The project requires environmental authorisation from the national Department of Environmental Affairs.
GIBB (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners to
undertake the Basic Assessment Process, as well as the associated Public Participation Process for the
project. Since you have shown an interest in related projects previously you have are being sent the
background information document (BID).
Kind Regards
Public Participation Desk Transnet Tiipler 3 Tel: +27 21 469 9294
(Monday to Friday 09h00 – 16h00)
2
Email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 3965, Cape Town,8000 Fax: +27 21 424 5571 Web: www.gibb.co.za
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this email and its attachments is both confidential and subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified not to read, disclose copy or use the contents thereof in any manner whatsoever, but are kindly requested to notify the sender and delete it immediately. This e-mail message does not create any legally binding contract between Transnet SOC LTD and the recipient, unless the contrary is specifically stated. Statements and opinions expressed in e-mails may not represent those of Transnet SOC LTD. While Transnet will take reasonable precautions, it cannot give any guarantee or warrant that this email will be free of virus infections, errors, interception and, therefore, cannot be held liable for any loss or damages incurred by the recipient, as a result of any of the above-mentioned factors.
1
orextippler
From: Keith <[email protected]>
Sent: 12 July 2013 12:11 PM
Cc: Gill & Angus Stewart; Jaques vd Merwe
Subject: Transnet Tippler 3 at Saldanha
Dear Sir,
Thank you for sending the BID for the Transnet Third Tippler at Saldanha,
(There appear to be no DEA&DP and DEA Ref. Nos. or is this project linked into the Port Expansion
project?)
Please register the West Coast Bird Club (WCBC) as an IAP to the project.
The WCBC supports the project provided:-
1. The proposed position of the fourth tippler is shown on the position map, so that the cumulative effect
can be judged for this and the Port Extension (4th Tippler) projects.
2. The technology used for the tippler, and the conveyor belt systems does NOT add to the current red
dust problem towards Vredenburg and Louwville.
Please send DSR and DEIR in CD format to:-
Keith Harrison,
West Coast Bird Club,
P.O. Box 1404,
Vredenburg,
7380.
Tel. 022 – 7133026.
Email [email protected]
Regards,
Keith Harrison.
1
orextippler
From: Pieter Jantjies <[email protected]>
Sent: 12 July 2013 12:50 PM
To: orextippler
Subject: Re: Reminder for J31459 Tippler3 I & A Registration closing date
We the School of Knowledge really want to thanks you for keep us inform. We wish you well as you take the community in consideration. That make us proud on you for taking our people with in a transparency way. In service for the community Pieter Jantjies From: orextippler <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, July 12, 2013 8:57 AM Subject: Reminder for J31459 Tippler3 I & A Registration closing date Dear Sir/ Madam, This email serves as a reminder that the I&AP registration period for the below mentioned project closes on 16th July. If you would like to continue to be informed of the project please register using the contact details in the signature line of this email or on the last page of the attached background information document. If you have already registered for the project please ignore this email. Transnet SOC Ltd proposes to expand the iron ore tippler facility in the Port of Saldanha. The proposed project entails the provision of a third tippler and associated infrastructure to ensure that current export volumes of 60 million tons per year are sustained during refurbishment of existing tipplers. The project requires environmental authorisation from the national Department of Environmental Affairs. GIBB (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners to undertake the Basic Assessment Process, as well as the associated Public Participation Process for the project. Since you have shown an interest in related projects previously you have are being sent the background information document (BID). Kind Regards Public Participation Desk Transnet Tiipler 3 Tel: +27 21 469 9294
(Monday to Friday 09h00 – 16h00) Email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 3965, Cape Town,8000 Fax: +27 21 424 5571 Web: www.gibb.co.za
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orextippler
From: Eco@fossilPark <[email protected]>
Sent: 14 July 2013 10:49 AM
To: 'orextippler'
Cc: 'Dave Mitchell'; 'Hamish Robertson'; 'Alex Robertson'
Subject: RE: Reminder for J31459 Tippler3 I & A Registration closing date
Attachments: J31459 TSPOE EIA_BID Tippler.pdf
Dear Sir/Madam
Re : Tansnet Iron Ore Tippler 3
I wish to register the West Coast Fossil Park as an I&AP for the Transnet SOC Ltd proposal to expand the iron
ore tippler facility in the Port of Saldanha
Preliminary concerns would include the following:
• Modifications to geological features
• Disturbance of potential palaeontological deposits
• Dust pollution
• Potential negative impact on living biota in the affected area
I reserve the right to make further comment.
Regards
Pippa Haarhoff Manager, West Coast Fossil Park
PO Box 42
Langebaanweg, 7375
TEL 022 766 1606
FAX 022 766 1765
CELL 083 289 6902
EMAIL:[email protected]
web: www.fossilpark.org.za
From: orextippler [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 12 July 2013 08:42 AM
To: [email protected] Subject: Reminder for J31459 Tippler3 I & A Registration closing date
Dear Sir/ Madam,
This email serves as a reminder that the I&AP registration period for the below mentioned project closes on 16th
July. If you would like to continue to be informed of the project please register using the contact details in the
signature line of this email or on the last page of the attached background information document.
If you have already registered for the project please ignore this email.
Transnet SOC Ltd proposes to expand the iron ore tippler facility in the Port of Saldanha. The proposed
project entails the provision of a third tippler and associated infrastructure to ensure that current export
volumes of 60 million tons per year are sustained during refurbishment of existing tipplers.
The project requires environmental authorisation from the national Department of Environmental Affairs.
GIBB (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners to
2
undertake the Basic Assessment Process, as well as the associated Public Participation Process for the
project. Since you have shown an interest in related projects previously you have are being sent the
background information document (BID).
Kind Regards
Public Participation Desk Transnet Tiipler 3 Tel: +27 21 469 9294
(Monday to Friday 09h00 – 16h00) Email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 3965, Cape Town,8000 Fax: +27 21 424 5571 Web: www.gibb.co.za
