Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries remains committed to fighting air pollution

• News & Highlights

Last week’s judgment in the Vereenigning Regional court against steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa for air quality violations, sends a strong signal that the air quality regulatory environment must be respected by industry and government alike. This is the view of the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy.

The sentence included an order for ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) to pay an amount of R3.63 million to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.  In terms of the court order, this will be utilised for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of air quality monitoring instruments for the benefit of the Sedibeng Municipality.  

AMSA entered into a plea agreement with the State in which it admitted to violating sections of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act by exceeding minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.

AMSA Limited’s Vanderbijlpark works is located within the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area.  The area was declared a priority in 2006 and is one of three priority areas identified nationally in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) due to concerns about elevated pollution in these areas.