Residents complain of sulphur dioxide
Resources Correspondent
ANGLO Platinum dismissed the threat of legal action over increased sulphur dioxide emissions from its platinum processing plant in Rustenburg yesterday.
SA's largest platinum producer has come under fire from local residents for the sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide emissions from its plant in the area.
Local residents said the emissions were causing respiratory and severe sinus problems.
Chris de Bruyn, who heads local environmental pressure group North West Eco Forum, said there were no immediate plans for a class action suit against the company.
De Bruyn said that at a public meeting in Rustenburg last week it was clear that Anglo Platinum was lagging other platinum group metal producers when it came to reducing sulphur dioxide emissions.
De Bruyn said Lonmin was moving to bring down emissions from its operations to below 12 tons a day of sulphur dioxide by the start of July and Impala Platinum's emissions were now below 20 tons a day.
"This leaves one big polluter if people are still sick after July we will know where to point the finger," said De Bruyn.
Anglo Platinum spokesman Mike Mtakati said the company had been transparent in its communications with the community and had an agreed programme with the North West Province's environmental officials on omission levels.
"Given how Anglo Platinum is acting I cannot see a basis for any legal action," said Mtakati.
Dr Pieter Wagner, a general practitioner in Rustenburg, said the pollution problem had gone on for some time but was worse in winter.
He highlighted difficulties Anglo Platinum had had with higher emissions during the commissioning of its new conversion plant. "Sulphur dioxide is just the tip of iceberg. Other pollutants are metal dust and metal salts," said Wagner.
Contact with sulphur dioxide could cause skin irritation such as chemical dermatitis, leading to allergic dermatitis and chemical rhinitis, which resulted in flu-like symptoms and asthma.
De Bruyn said emissions from Anglo Platinum operations in the area had reached levels of over 200 tons a day of sulphur dioxide in the last few months.
"We don't want to close anyone down. Mining is the mainstay of the town's economy but they have not kept to the emissions levels they said," he said.
The increased emissions have been attributed in part to Anglo Platinum's R1,68n investment in a new conversion plant.
May 27 2003 07:05:35:000AM Julie Bain Business Day 1st Edition
Tuesday
27 May 2003
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