| Media Statement Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2008 On Monday, 26 May 2008 the Green Scorpions embarked on the first of a
series of compliance inspections at various cement manufacturing facilities across the country. The blitz
signals the start of the "Clean Cement" campaign. The blitz will see Green Scorpions (Environmental Management Inspectors) from the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism as well as six provinces conduct inspections. Other role players
include the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and local municipalities. The six provinces involved and the planned inspections include:
Limpopo - PPC inspection
Gauteng (Tshwane) - PPC Hercules Inspection
KwaZulu-Natal (Port Shepstone) - Cipmor NPC Inspection
Eastern Cape (New Brighton) - PPC Inspection
Western Cape (De Hoek and Riebeeck) - PPC Inspections An inspection of the Lafarge plant in the North West yesterday, 26 May 2008, signalled the start of the
"Clean Cement" campaign. Green scorpions will monitor compliance with all environmental legislations, authorisations and
permits applicable to each site. The campaign follows the success of the multi-year national environmental compliance
campaign in the iron and steel and ferroalloy industry, known as Operation Ferro. "The cement industry has been prioritised in this new environmental compliance campaign because
of the growing demand for its products. An increase in construction and development projects
in the country and rapid expansions in the cement sector means that the industry may contribute
significantly to pollution if not mitigated and managed properly," said Ms Joanne Yawitch,
Deputy Director General for Environmental Quality and Protection at DEAT. On 30 April 2008, a Cement Industry Workshop was held where representatives from the sector
were informed on what to expect during the compliance inspections and how to adequately prepare for it. "Inspectors will consider findings of significant non-compliances to environmental
authorisations in a serious light, and appropriate enforcement action will follow," emphasised Yawitch. She added that other key industries will soon be subjected to similar assessments.
In addition, to Operation Ferro, the Department is already leading a national environmental
compliance and enforcement project in relation to the six big oil refineries in the country. The inspections will occur for the duration of this week. To schedule media interviews, contact : Roopa Singh on 082 225 3076 or rsingh@deat.gov.za ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | 
