RNS2 Nov 2016 07:05
ANNOUNCEMENT 02 NOVEMBER 2016
MINISTER DISMISSES APPEAL AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION AMENDMENT AT
MAKHADO PROJECT
Coal of Africa Limited (?CoAL? or the? Company?) is pleased to advise that the South African Minister of the
Department of Environmental Affairs (?DEA?), Ms Edna Molewa, has dismissed an Appeal against the
Environmental Authorisation (?EA?) Amendment for the Makhado Project in the Limpopo Province. .
The EA Amendment was granted in July 2016 in terms of the National Environmental Management Act
(NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998), amending the holder of the authorisation from CoAL to Baobab Mining and
Exploration Limited (Pty) Ltd, the legal entity for the Makhado Project, thus ensuring the alignment of the
ownership of the full suite of regulatory authorisations in the appropriate operating vehicle. The EA
Amendment further amends the validity period of the EA, extending the commencement period for an
additional 5 years.
An appeal against the EA Amendment was lodged in August 2016 by the Vhembe Mineral Resources
Stakeholders? Forum.
Commenting on the decision, David Brown, Chief Executive Officer of CoAL said, ?We welcome this decision
by the Minister, and confirms the support of the Provincial and National Government for the Makhado Project
and its potential to drive meaningful socio-economic transformation. It is a further step in progressing the
Makhado Project towards construction.
?We have recently launched the Makhado Centre of Learning which aims to develop skills within communities
to enable access to opportunities offered within the Makhado Project.
?CoAL continues to engage with the Department of Water and Sanitation progress the appeal against the
Integrated Water Use Licence for the Makhado Project?.
Authorised by
David Brown
Chief Executive Officer