AfriForum learns of Total’s withdrawal of application for exploration on south coast

14 April 2021  

The civil rights organisation AfriForum has learned of Total SA’s withdrawal of its application for intended exploration in a region of the coastal area between St Francis Bay and Mossel Bay. AfriForum welcomes this move but will monitor the situation closely to ensure that any future processes will be investigated thoroughly in order to protect vulnerable marine environments.

AfriForum has been monitoring this application since last year and has also submitted commentary on the matter. SLR Consulting applied on behalf of Total SA to drill 11 holes on the coastal area as exploration wells.

The area in question is indispensable for the marine biodiversity on the South African coastline. In addition, a protected marine area is located just south of the intended prospecting area.  

“AfriForum is not opposed to any existing or intended mine activities, but as guardian of the environment it is important to participate in all processes and procedures to ensure that communities and the country are protected,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager of Environmental Affairs.    

Help to protect the environment for generations to come by joining AfriForum today: SMS your name to 45354 (R1).

Issued by Andrea van Wyk, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 14 April 2021