2022 Sasol Sustainability Report - Book - Page 62
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
INTRODUCTION
DATA AND ASSURANCE
MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT (CONTINUED)
Waste management
(continued)
PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
Waste (Secunda Operations)
DIVERSION CHALLENGES AND TRENDS
During the routine 2022 API dam clean-out, 15% of the sludge was diverted from landfill. Sasol’s ambition of diverting the API sludge was
influenced by the above-average rainfall. During mid-April, the clean-out of a second dam commenced, whereby diversion from landfill is
being exercised. The clean-out is ongoing.
WASTE MANAGEMENT LICENCES
SO received the reviewed integrated waste management licence for the medium-term vanadium (MTV) and fine ash dam 6 (FAD6) facilities.
The review was in line with the licence conditions.
UPDATE ON ASH BENEFICIATION
We reported previously that SO had applied and received approval from the DFFE for the exclusion of various ash uses from the definition
of waste.
Ash sales continue, albeit at lower volumes than those reported for 2021. In 2022, we sold 197 000 tons of ash, down on the previous year
because of changes in operational requirements from internal clients. We finalised 26 new ash sales contracts, bringing to 101 the number
of external customers. However, not all sales contracts ultimately result in ash offtake, with the cost of road transport increases a
significant reason for this.
We are involved in various initiatives to increase offtake including the possibility of developing an ash rail loading facility to make use of
the rail infrastructure that is already on site. In October 2021, we published a request for information to test the market for new ash
beneficiation opportunities. The responses received confirmed that there is a strong interest and demand for Sasol’s ash for beneficiation
opportunities. Promising opportunities were identified which are being explored. We also have regular engagements with the DFFE in
this regard.
In May 2022, SO hosted DFFE officials from the Waste and Chemicals Phakisa team to showcase the progress we are making in enabling
ash beneficiation.
BIOSLUDGE TO GASIFICATION – RESOLUTION ON WASTE MATTER
As part of the Environmental Improvement for Biosludge Handling project, we engaged with the DFFE to discuss using the biosludge
stream as a feedstock into the gasification units in the existing manufacturing process. Currently the stream is seen as a waste and is
being incinerated. Should the stream be routed to gasification, this would be seen as a waste management activity and would thus require
licensing from both a waste and an air management perspective. SO identified a need for the use of biosludge in its own process, namely to
inject into gasification. The DFFE confirmed its agreement with this position and thus enabling the team to continue with its work.
SASOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2022
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