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First Uranium broke environmental law

Business Report – Web: State finds First Uranium broke the law February 8, 2010By Asha Speckman First Uranium’s application for an environmental authorisation licence was withdrawn because it had contravened law and begun development of its minewaste tailings processing facility at its Ezulwini mine near Potchefstroom without proper approval.

This is according to the North West department of agriculture, conservation, environment and rural development who declined the company’s application last month.
Bonolo Mahlakoana, spokesperson for the department, said environmental law prohibited engaging in a listed activity unless the competent authority had granted the environmental authorisation by law.

“The environmental authorisation was issued on 21 July last year and they had by then already commenced with the activity in June,” said Mahlakoana……
This was not the first time First Uranium has had to appeal opposition to its project.

Last year various parties objected to a granting of the environmental authorisation. In December First Uranium had lobbied appellants to withdraw their objections including the Tlokwe city council in the area.

William Maphosa, communication manager at the council said they were initially concerned of potential contamination of the Moor river system which runs through the city.

February 9, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, Legal | antinuclear, uranium