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S. Africa to explore shale gas in next financial year: minister
来源： 时间：2016-03-09
South Africa will begin exploring shale gas in the next financial year, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti said on Tuesday.
"This will lead to excellent prospects for beneficiation and add value to our mineral wealth," Nkwinti said at a press briefing in Parliament on Tuesday.
His remarks ended speculations over the project amid environmental concerns.
South Africa published shale gas regulations in the second quarter of 2015/16.
Nkwinti called shale gas exploration "one area of real opportunity for South Africa" as the country is trying to achieve an energy mix to meet growing demand.
The South African government would soon be issuing licences for the exploration of shale gas drilling through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, President Jacob Zuma said last year.
Recent estimates show that South Africa has eight largest shale gas reserves in the world and the Karoo area in the Northern Cape Province is believed to be holding up to 390-trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas reserves.
The exploration of shale gas is expected to ease the energy shortage in the country.
Environmentalists have expressed strong opposition to the government's move to explore shale gas. The Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) says shale gas reserves, globally, have been overstated and world leaders are misinformed in this regard.
There have been concerns about the effect the exploration activities will have on water quality and availability in areas where water is scarce.
The gas would only be accessible by hydraulic fracturing or "fracking", which is to pump water and chemicals into rock at high pressure. In April 2011, in response to opposition from environmental groups and the local community, South Africa's government slapped a moratorium on fracking.
The South African cabinet has established an Inter-departmental Task Team to address concerns in developing shale gas in the country. These concerns include environmental impact on ecosystems, waste management and water.
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