KAROO – Members of the public have until 17 November 2025 to review and comment on the draft Basic Assessment Report for Phase 2 of the Karoo Geophysical Research Project.
This phase of the research project involves seismic surveys within the Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi districts in the Eastern Cape, as well as the Pixley ka Seme District in the Northern Cape, while Phase 1 covers similar seismic survey activities in the Central Karoo.
The review and comment period for Phase 1 closed on 23 October 2025.
Wits Enterprise (WE) from Wits University was appointed by the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) to conduct geoscientific research in the Central Karoo District in the Western Cape, the Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi Districts in the Eastern Cape, as well as the Pixley ka Seme District in the Northern Cape.
The research project aims to use geophysical methods to study and improve the understanding of the subsurface geology, regional structures, and basin geometry of the south-central Karoo Basin as it relates to potential natural resources and environmental sustainability.
As part of the research project, seismic surveys will be conducted along public roads.
The project will utilise both active and passive seismic methods to map the subsurface geological structures.
Active methods make use of controlled man-made energy sources such as vibroseis trucks, while passive methods rely on natural sources such as vibrations produced by ocean waves, or uncontrolled man-made sources such as traffic noise.
This Geoscientific Research Project is being conducted in terms of section 50(1) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act No. 28 of 2002) (MPRDA), published in the Government Gazette by the Minister on 22 November 2024 to 09 January 2025.
The published notice invited written comments on the proposed geoscientific research and subsequently Nemai Consulting was appointed by WE as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to conduct the Basic Assessments for the proposed seismic surveys.
Due to the size of the study area, the following separate Basic Assessments are being undertaken:
• Phase 1 covers the Western Cape Province (Central Karoo District); and
• Phase 2 covers the Eastern Cape Province (Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi Districts) as well as a small portion of the Northern Cape Province (Pixley ka Seme District).
Written comments on the draft Basic Assessment Report for Phase 2 of the research project need to be forwarded to the EAP by the aforementioned date. The following comment sheet can be used for comments: Comment sheet.
An electronic copy of the report can be downloaded from the website.
Hard copies of the report can be viewed at any of the libraries listed below:
• Graaff-Reinet Library, 24 Parsonage Street, Graaff-Reinet (Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality)
• Aberdeen Library, Andries Pretorius Street, Aberdeen (Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality)
• Nieu Bethesda Library, 3 Miller Street, Nieu Bethesda (Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality)
• Middelburg Library, 47 Van Reenen Street, Middelburg (Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality)
• Langenhoven Library, 13 Unie Street, Somerset East (Blue Crane Route Local Municipality)
• Pearston Library, 49 Voortrekker Street, Pearston (Blue Crane Route Local Municipality)
• Cradock Library, 1 J.A. Calata Street, Cradock (Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality)
• Steynsburg Library, Church Street, Steynsburg (Walter Sisulu Local Municipality)
Those who have any queries can contact Donavan Henning at Nemai Consulting: 011 781 1730, fax: 011 781 1731, mobile: +27 82 891 0604 or email: donavanh@nemai.co.za
Address: 147 Bram Fischer Drive, Ferndale, 2194, South Africa
Postal Address: PO Box 1673, Sunninghill, 2157
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