ArcelorMittal Limited South Africa (Amsa), the largest steel producer on the African continent, has been fined a total of R3.6 million. According to the department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries the steel giant admitted to contravening sections of the Air Quality Act by exceeding the minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.
The department further explained that Amsa’s Vanderbijlpark works was located within the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area. “The area was declared a priority in 2006 and is one of three priority areas identified nationally in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) due to concerns about elevated pollution in these areas,” the department said.
Department Minister Barbara Creecy said in a statement that the money would be utilised for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of air quality monitoring instruments for the benefit of the Sedibeng Municipality.”
Currently producing more than 5 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum, the company supplies over 61% of the steel used in South Africa and exports the rest to sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere.
