Status: Draft Environmental Impact Assessment
· Reference Number: GAUT 002/25-26/E0173
· Authority: Gauteng Department of Environment (GDEnv)
· Date of notice: 27-02-2026
· Closing date: 30-03-2026
BACKGROUND
Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd (ENVASS) has been appointed to apply for the necessary Environmental Authorisation (EA), on behalf of the client, from the Competent Authority (CA), namely the Gauteng Department of Environment (GDEnv). The applicant, World Explorer (Pty) Ltd (hereafter referred to as the applicant), is proposing the construction and operation of four (4) rotary dryers to reduce moisture content from 3-4% to below 1%.
In the past, gravity gradient slope style was commonly used for drying, where the water would drain from the chrome sand, and the material of importance could be processed. However, the applicant has increased their operations to such an extent that processing a greater volume of material is now necessary, and the traditional method no longer suffices to meet the required output efficiently. Bad weather is also a condition that is not controllable and may delay production capacity. The applicant is therefore planning to install simple rotary dryers to take the moisture content from 3–4% down to under 1% of water in order to process material further to be sold or exported to international markets.
The proposed project is located in the industrial area of Meyerton, situated within the Midvaal Local Municipality and Sedibeng District Municipality in the Gauteng Province. The proposed operations and activity will require the facilitation of a Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended) in order to apply for EA.
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
The proposed activity will trigger activities published under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (GNR982 of 2014, as amended) and Listing Notices. The following activities will be triggered:
Listing Notice 2 (GNR 984 of 2014, as amended)
· Activity 6: The development of facilities or infrastructure for any process or activity which requires a permit or licence or an amended permit or licence in terms of national or provincial legislation governing the generation or release of emissions, pollution or effluent.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
The purpose of the Public Participation Process (PPP) is to notify Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) of the proposed project and to provide them with the opportunity to raise issues or concerns regarding the project.
As part of the PPP, the identified I&APs, stakeholders and the public are provided with a 30-day period from 27 February 2026 to 30 March 2026 to register as an I&AP and participate in the PPP.
