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AfriForum today entered into an alliance with the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) to oppose the plans of the Department of Mineral Resources as well as oil and gas companies to explore for and extract shale gas in South Africa.
 
Julius Kleynhans, head of environmental affairs for AfriForum said that: ‘it is exciting to partner with an organisation who shares our values of integrity and our vision of sustainable development with a view to the long-term prosperity of South Africa – for all South Africans’.
 
He argued that ‘incidents of mining-related pollution across South Africa have shown that regulations and environmental management plans are not adhered to. Authorities have proven their inability to enforce standards and our laws. Good practice only appears on paper. There are numerous legislative, technical, economic and environmental issues that indicate a clear need for a credible strategic environmental assessment before the issuing of even exploration licences can be justified. The risks linked to shale gas mining are enormous and we are of the opinion that, based on the evidence currently available, the case for shale gas mining has not yet been proven.’
 
AfriForum will partner with the TKAG in several actions, including court cases against shale gas mining in the Karoo.
 
To donate R10 to the campaign, SMS ‘KAROO’ to 38655.
 
‘Together AfriForum and the TKAG will continue to oppose exploration and mining activities related to the extraction of shale gas until and unless scientific and economic evidence, based on South African conditions, can conclusively show that shale gas mining is a wise, safe and sustainable choice for South Africa,” Kleynhans concluded.