I just received the following information via Facebook from dr Anthony Turton, water scientist who formerly worked at the CSIR.

The gold mining industry in South Africa is proposing a water treatment plant that will take mine water contaminated with heavy metals, radioactivity and sulphates, treat it and then sell it on to consumers as part of their environmental management planning to terminate their future liabilities.

The public participation phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment is currently underway and will close on Friday 24 July 2009, after which a decision will be made to proceed or not to proceed with the project.

I signed the petition “South African Water Action” to voice my concern over this issue which directly affects the health of all South Africans. I’m asking you to sign this petition to help reach the goal of 1 000 signatures.

Click here to sign the petition and/or to obtain more background information.

Andries Louw