A new oil and gas project in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is under threat as an environmental watchdog prepares to challenge its plans.
According to media reports, fears have surfaced regarding the use of the controversial hydraulic rock fracturing (fracking) method after United States oil company, Rhino Resources, was granted exploration rights to drill for oil on a number of farms in the province – starting from Richmond in the south of KZN, to Ladysmith and Dundee in the north-west of the province and passing eastwards of Mooi River and Estcourt.
Bobby Peek, director of the environmental group GroundWork, was cited by daily newspaper Business Report as saying that the organisation planned to challenge Rhino Resources’ oil and gas plans.
“The severe drought KZN is experiencing, coupled with the impact future oil and gas will have on water supplies, shows that this is a short-sighted government policy process,” he reportedly said.
