Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
STEYN BOARD OF INVESTIGATION PRESENTS ITS REPORT ON THE PROPOSED SALDANHA STEEL PROJECT TO THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, DR DAWIE DE VILLIERS
The Board of Investigation into the Saldanha Steel Project, headed by Judged Jan Steyn, today presented its report and recommendations to Dr Dawie de Villiers, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Dr De Villiers appointed Judged Steyn in June 1995 as head of a three-man inquiry to investigate environmental concerns raised by members of the public with regard to the proposed steel mill at Saldanha.
The members of the Board were Judge Jan Steyn (Chairman), Prof Richard Fuggle (Head Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town) and Mr Rufus Maruma (Environmental adviser to the Premier of the Northern Province, Mr Ngoako Ramathlodi). The task of this Board is stated in the Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) as assisting the Minister in the evaluation of any matter or any appeal in terms of the provisions of the Act. As determined by the Act, the investigation was conducted in a transparent manner through public hearings. Contributions by a wide range of interested and affected parties were incorporated into the Steyn Investigation's findings. Since the Investigation adjourned on 6 September 1995, it has evaluated about 3000 pages of written submissions in addition to oral evidence given by 56 individuals.
Iscor has recently indicated that they do not plan to go ahead with the project in its present form. Dr de Villiers stated that, in spite of this, he believes that the recommendations in the report contain important guidelines for any future development in this sensitive area. He emphasised that this investigation will not only give guidelines for the development in the area, but will be a benchmark case for future issues where there are competing interests between development and conservation.
A summary of this 226 page report is attached. However, for reference purposes, complete reports will be available at the SA Library, Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, and the library of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Fedlife Forum Building, cnr Van der Walt and Pretorius streets, Pretoria. The report is also available for sale and interested parties can contact Penguin Fastprint at (021) 24 3240 in this regard.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM CAPE TOWN, 6 OCTOBER 1995
ENQUIRIES: LUISE NICHOLSON TEL (021) 45 7240 ANNA-MARIE ROUX TEL (012) 310-3434