Sasol Sustainability Report 2023 - Book - Page 54
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ANNEXURES
SECUNDA
OPERATIONS
MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT // Environmental compliance CONTINUED
" On 27 July 2022, the National Prosecuting Authority served Sasol with a summons instituting criminal proceedings. The charges relate to historical aspects of environmental management at its Secunda
Operations. The summons follows an investigation by the National Environmental Management Inspectorate, an agency of the DFFE, as reported on previously. Sasol had fully cooperated with the authorities
in this investigation. The matter is presently before the courts and Sasol is adhering to the ongoing legal process.
SEO
" Incidents of an overflow of sewage from the petro ponds due to abnormally high domestic wastewater inflow from Metsimaholo Local Municipality (MLM) occur during significant rain events. This has been
reported to DWS even though the root cause lies outside of SEO9s direct control. MLM infrastructure upgrades and repairs need to be made to the supporting MLM infrastructure. SEO is assisting with funds
to support a study on behalf of the MLM to identify areas where stormwater ingress into the MLM owned reticulation infrastructure occurs.
" Due to high rainfall, SEO experienced higher than expected water volumes within its water management system on site. This impacted maximum authorised discharge volumes that the SEO WUL allows for.
SEO engaged DWS and a verbal directive was received in December 2022 which allowed SEO to temporarily release higher discharge volumes.
" Sasolburg Operation experienced challenges with hydrogen cyanide emissions resulting from its cyanide plant. Following investigations, we made upgrades to the plant. The remaining challenge is to ensure
accurate emission sampling takes place and we continue to work on this. We have engaged the local licensing officer in this regard.
NORTH
AMERICA
CHINA
" In March 2023, ammonia was released at the Bunsen Street site. Even though the duration was short, we reported this as a section 30 incident to the DFFE.
" In the first quarter of FY23, we received a penalty for not recording gas test data, 20 000RMB/Q2.
" For the second quarter we received a penalty for a missing record of the rainwater discharge on-line monitoring system's acceptance, 68 600RMB.
" Based on the 08/01/2023 sampling, there was a reportable effluent violation of stormwater from Greens Bayou Plant in Texas. It was reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Outfall #002
for the permitted parameter, Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The cause of this non-compliance is suspected to be related to a leaking pipe damaged by the freezing weather experienced at the Greens Bayou Plant
from 22 to 25 December 2022. The leaking line was repaired, no further administrative enforcement was undertaken, the report was submitted in January 2023.
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