Sasol Sustainability Report 2023 - Book - Page 53
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ANNEXURES
MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT // Environmental compliance
OUR COMMITMENT //
We are committed to adhering to applicable environmental regulatory
requirements, consistent with our Code of Conduct and underpinned
by various Sasol policies.
OUR GROUP
APPROACH
We are cognisant of the diversity of our environmental compliance obligations across the numerous
jurisdictions in which we operate. This is demonstrated by our adherence to applicable local and
international laws, regulations and standards. We follow a robust process of reporting and mitigating
environmental incidents, including any deviations from legal requirements. Our approach is based on
an incident classification system which includes assessing incidents based on their potential to create
significant degradation or pollution to the environment.
We collaborate with the authorities on environmental inspections conducted at our facilities.
Our responses to findings include key remedial interventions aimed at sustaining compliance.
PERFORMANCE
We consider all our operations in reporting, therefore the following environmental report is based on key compliance challenges, noting that not all of our operations experienced key environmental
compliance challenges. The following are incidents which occurred at applicable regions and our response to them incorporating our approach:
NATREF
OUR OPERATIONS
" In January 2023, an incident occurred at Natref9s Durban Operations (NDO), Prospecton site. Crude oil seeped from a storage tank onto the floating roof of the tank. Several external odour complaints were received after the
source was identified and amid the implementation of the mitigation actions. The tank was taken out of service for repair work. A compliance Notice in terms of Section 9(1) of The Schedule Activities Bylaw was issued by the
eThekwini Municipality Health Department and a directive in terms of Section 30(6) National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) was issued to NDO by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism
and Environmental Affairs (KZN-EDTEA). The incident was reported as a Section 30 incident and the necessary responses to the compliance notice and directive were submitted to the relevant authorities. In March 2023 a
site inspection was conducted at NDO9s Prospecton site by KZN-EDTEA. No further administrative enforcement was undertaken.
SASOL ENERGY
SASOL MINING
" NATREF experienced challenges with regard to the sampling and measurement of emissions at certain sample points stipulated in its Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL). This caused inconsistent results and required
further investigation. The matter was reported to the local licensing authority. Subsequent sampling activities, at these sampling points, showed that the emissions were within limits specified in the AEL.
" An incident occurred at the Bosjesspruit Irenedale shaft in February 2023. A lightning strike knocked out power to the shaft. This resulted in the pumps at the water sump not operating. Heavy rainfall resulted in the shaft
filling up with water and this spilled into the environment. Emergency protocols were initiated to manage the incident and rehabilitation specialists were appointed to assist with clean-up. The incident was reported to the
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
" The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Free State Region conducted an inspection at the Mooikraal mine in January 2023. The mine then received a Notice of intention to issue a Compliance Notice in
terms of Section 31L of NEMA in February 2023. Sasol Mining submitted substantive representations to DMRE in response to the queries raised in the Notice and no further administrative enforcement was undertaken.
" Sasol Mining is renewing its water use licenses (WUL) at its various mines. Certain challenges have been experienced with the WUL renewal process and in particular meeting some of the onerous requirements introduced by
DWS. Subsequently, one of the four water use license renewal applications for Syferfontein mine was declined. Sasol Mining has submitted an appeal on the decision to the Water Tribunal on 22 July 2022, we await feedback.
" As part of the contaminated land notification process that was done in terms of Part 8 of the NEMA: Waste Act, 59 of 2008, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) conducted site visits at various
Sasol retail service stations. The Sasol Swartgoud retail site subsequently received a remediation order to proceed with remediation activities as recommended in the specialist reports submitted to DFFE in accordance with
Part 8 of the Waste Act.
" During December 2023, in Ormonde, there was a gas leak from the pipeline at a river crossing, We reported a section 30A incident to the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. A verbal directive was
subsequently received allowing necessary repair work to be conducted on the line.
" Illegal tapping from the Secunda Natref Integration pipeline resulted in the leakage of hydrocarbons into the environment in May 2023. Emergency protocols were initiated including necessary clean-up and remediation
activities. A section 30 incident was reported to DFFE.
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