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analysis oil

or surface. Surface water is outlined by their Water is not the only concern, but cultural cultural integrity and tourism. Nonetheless,
catchment areas and is completely separated heritage, agriculture, and tourism are all SGD investments will create economic booms
from other areas by watershed boundaries. affected. The social fabric of the Karoo will be in surrounding towns, attracting construction,
These are water bodies above ground. Ground affected by any level of shale gas development trade (wholesale and retail) and business
water is not visible, but sits in shallow water (SGD); this is not necessarily all negative. services. These have multiplier effects on
bearing permeable rock and is tapped into as a Improved housing provisions and training the local economy as employment increases
secondary source of water by local communities programs will be a vital component in getting substantially.
or farms. The hydraulic connectivity of the deep approved social investment requirements. The future of the fracking industry is going
and shallow formations poses a problem for However, the towns of the Karoo are already to be a difficult one with plenty of push back
widespread contamination from flow back or experiencing back-logs from migration to the from activists and the public in general. On
produced water. In other words, contamination towns. The SDG would increase the influx the other hand, activists must acknowledge
can easily spread due to the links between and place the municipalities in an impossible that mitigations exist which can protect the
water bodies. However, percolation of fracking situation unless mitigation measures are environment to an international standard.
fluids to surface water levels is very unlikely. in place. An increase in population will put Unfortunately, vested interest by both
Risks associated with surface spills and along pressure on all aspects of social needs - from extremes of the argument has caused many
transport networks are the most likely source hospitals to schools, security and traffic. This facts to be brushed off or taken out of context.
of water resource contamination. pressure on the surrounding municipalities to As decision-makers proceed with shale gas
meet the demand for basic services may be developments in the Karoo, a trade-off must
overwhelming. be considered balancing the economic, social
The government will see staunch The impacts on biodiversity, agriculture, and environmental sensitivities.
resistance from environmental and heritage are less often highlighted in
activists if they do not have the discussions but are also at risk. The alteration Tilden Hellyer is an Industry Analyst, Energy &
Environment at Frost & Sullivan
“mechanisms and instruments that of the landscape will have a short to long
seek to augment existing laws for term impact on the agricultural landscape
the protection of water resources” and resource base. Not taking into account
as claimed by the government the potential impact on cultural heritage (like
monuments, memorials, archaeological sites
themselves. and graves) could have a damaging effect on

AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 21, Issue 20, 2017 | 55