Manganese ore is still being brought into the South African town of Swartkops despite a metro order issued in mid-November last year to clear it away within three weeks.
And Swartkops residents are still suffering from ore dust pollution, which they charge is linked to the stockpiling and processing of the manganese at the “truck stop” depot and at the old metro power station.
When South African newspaper, The Herald, visited the area yesterday, 20-odd ore dumps were visible in the depot. A tarpaulin was spread over two, apparently to contain dust pollution, but it was blowing loosely in the strong south-westerly wind.
There were other dumps at the old power station. A sprinkler was on next to them, apparently to dampen dust, but most of the water was missing its target because of the wind.
The depot property, it has now been established, is owned by Transnet. It is leased to Freight Dynamics, a company recently taken over by Makhubu Logistics.
Under the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, manganese is a hazardous substance and transporting, stockpiling and processing it needs special authorisation.
Explaining the reason for its directive to Lenata Tradecor and Freight Dynamics, the metro said last year no authorisation had been applied for and that the only legal dumping site in the city was at the harbour.
In November, furious Swartkops residents said manganese dust was getting into every corner of their homes, racking up huge cleaning bills, threatening their health and wrecking their quality of life.
One of the complainants, used car salesman Owen Melville, said yesterday: “They seemed to stop operations at the depot and the old power station (early in the year), but now they‘ve started up again. It‘s hectic.”
After a DA probe, the metro took samples in homes last November and confirmed it “contains manganese”.
Owen‘s observation concurs with comment from a reliable source close to the ore processing industry who said yesterday that while the Swartkops dumps had been reduced after the metro ultimatum, import and dumping “is now in full swing again”.
Metro spokesman Kupido Baron said, however, that 80 per cent of the material had been cleared already.
“A little under 20% must still be moved and the owner of the ore is doing this.”
Freight Dynamics business unit manager Jaques de Koker said dust sample tests had been commissioned by Tradecor from Safetek, and the report had been given to the metro.
“About two weeks ago, we were told verbally by the municipality that everything was fine and we could continue operations.”
There were still “a couple of piles ... about 2000 tons” left in the Freight Dynamics yard. “But nothing is being brought in and nothing will happen until I get it in writing from the municipality that we can continue.”
Tradecor operations chief Kassie Fouche confirmed the firm still has manganese stockpiled at the depot and the old power station – and was still bringing in more.
The situation had developed because of the collapsed metals market, he said. Before the slump towards the end of last year, buyers in India and China were taking all the ore available but now they only wanted higher grade material.
“The ore at the depot is low grade, so we have to bring in higher grade material from the mines in the Northern Cape and blend it before we can ship it out. We do this with a front-end loader at the depot. It‘s the only place (where) we can do this.”
This would continue for the next “two to three months”, after which the depot would be cleared completely. The stockpile had been reduced “by 75%” since the metro directive.
There was also still manganese at the old power station, but Fouche could not say how much. He added he did not want to discuss the initial 21-day deadline stipulated by the municipality.
“The matter is pending, but we are working together with the municipality. They know what is going on.”
The Safetek report also “shows it is not our dust”.
Meanwhile, the ore dumped last year at Markman Township is also still there. A Herald probe last year after an outcry from tenants revealed it is owned by Tunica and dumped on land owned by Chade Properties.
The metro said that because Markman is an industrial area, the owner of the manganese ore was allowed to apply for a permit.
“They were supposed to have done this as a matter of urgency and we will be following up to see if they have done so,” said Baron. “If their application is not successful, they will definitely be ordered to move it.”
Source: Weekend Post
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