[miningmx.com] — THE Department of Water Affairs is in the process of setting up an electronic water use licence application system, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, said on Tuesday.
Details about the system appeared in a written response to a parliamentary question asked by the Democratic Alliance’s Gareth Morgan on the real-time accessibility of water use licence information.
“The department has considered publishing some details of water use licences for real-time access via the internet and is in the process of setting up an electronic water use license appraisal system (eWULAAS),’ read the response.
“This will, among other things, provide a platform for applicants to apply online and to view the status of their applications through [a] username and password.’
She said, however, the system would not make all relevant details pertaining to individual licences and applications available as it might contain personal and confidential information.
The department (DWA) was not immediately available to provide more details when contacted.
Morgan’s question formed part of a series on Project Letsema, a strategy launched by the DWA in 2010 to deal with a backlog in the processing of water use applications.
He asked Molewa whether “the required due diligence on the mines has been conducted before awarding the licence’ and whether every mine has consulted with affected parties.
“All mines issued with water use licences conducted public consultations with interested and affected parties through different routes,’ Molewa responded.
“Before awarding of a water use licence, due diligence is practiced on each application. In addition, information is sought from applicants through meetings…and site inspections.’
A list of 153 mines that were granted water use licences under Project Letsema was included in the response.
