Rhino Oil and Gas – EIA for Exploration Right (ER) (ER reference: 379)

Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration South Africa (ROGESA) has lodged an application for an Exploration Right to explore for natural gas in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The ER application has been submitted to Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA), on behalf of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), in terms of Section 79 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (No. 28 of 2002) (MPRDA).

The ER extends across an area of ~250 000 hectares and includes ~ 1500 properties. A locality plan and list of farms is available for download from SLR (see details below). ROGESA’s primary objective is to gather an enhanced dataset to inform future exploration activities. Proposed works includes an aeromagnetic survey and drilling a minimum of two (2) exploration wells in the ER area to confirm presence of gas.

Notice is given of the intention to apply for an Environmental Authorisation and undertake a public participation process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (GN.R 982 of 2014). In terms of the EIA Regulations 2014, the proposed project requires Environmental Authorisation as it triggers Activity 18 of EIA Regulation Listing Notice 2 of 2014, and is subject to a Scoping and EIA process.

SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the independent environmental assessment practitioner responsible for undertaking the required environmental assessment and conducting the public participation process. The application will be subject to a scoping and environmental impact assessment process as stipulated in the EIA Regulations, 2014 made under Section 24(5) of the NEMA. The Scoping Report will be made available for review for review following the submission of the Application for Environmental Authorisation.

Status

Notice is hereby given that:
SLR has compiled a Draft EIA Report, which is currently available for a 30-day review and comment period from 13 March to 14 April 2025. This provides an opportunity for I&APs to comment on any aspect of the proposed project and the potential impacts and findings as presented in the EIA Report.

Copies of the full Draft EIA Report and Non-technical Summary (the NTS is available in English, Afrikaans and Zulu) are available at the following locations from 13 March 2025:

1. SLR Website: https://www.slrconsulting.com/public-documents/rhino-oil-and-gas-eia-for-exploration-right-er-er-reference-379/
2. Data free website: https://slrpublicdocs.datafree.co/public-documents/rhino-oil-and-gas-eia-for-exploration-right-er-er-reference-379/, which is accessible from an internet-capable mobile phone WITHOUT data charges.
3. Various public venues below:
   • Ermelo: Thusiville Library - 346 OR Tambo St, Wesselton Ext 2, Ermelo, 2351 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/C3tibsd9Gkx3diBY6)
   • Amersfoort: Amersfoort Public Library - Bree St, Amersfoort, 2490 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dhu3rQkJpgJxGGwy5)
   • Daggakraal: Daggakraal Public Library - Thusong Centre, 260 Sinqobile A, Daggakraal, 2492 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/vauaNmR25dFE7tj67)

We cordially invite all stakeholders to attend the public open days listed below:

• Ermelo
  • Venue: Ermelo Inn
  • Date: 24 March 2025
  • Time: 14:00-18:00
• Amersfoort
  • Venue: Pearl Streams Guest House
  • Date: 25 March 2025
  • Time: 14:00-18:00
• Daggakraal
  • Venue: Daggakraal Community Hall
  • Date: 26 March 2025
  • Time: 09:00 - 11:00
• Online (Virtual Meeting)
  • Venue: MS Teams
  • Date: 31 March 2025
  • Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Registration to Attend Online (Virtual) Meeting

Please click here to complete the required form to register to attend the online public meeting.

Please note: only people who register for the online meeting will receive a link to the meeting.

By registering on the Project database, you consent to SLR managing your information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (No. 4 of 2013). This includes (1) retaining and using your Personal Information as part of a contact database for this and/or other EIAs, (2) contacting you regarding this and/or other EIA processes, (3) disclosing the database to other authorised parties for lawful purposes, (4) processing it for lawful purposes, and (5) including correspondence received in EIA Reports. You may request SLR to delete your personal information from the Project database or exclude comments from EIA Reports at any time.