Mantashe, Shell will soon hear if halted Wild Coast seismic blasting can be challenged

A high court will soon make a ruling about whether Shell can appeal an interim interdict of its seismic survey off the Wild Coast.

Shell and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe had applied for leave to appeal a December ruling by Judge Gerald Bloem. The ruling temporarily halted the seismic survey pending a hearing of Part B of the application which challenges Shell's environmental authorisation and aims to have Shell's exploration right reviewed and set aside.

Wild Coast residents, fisheries and traditional leaders and two civil society organisations - Sustaining the Wild Coast and All Rise Attorneys for Climate and the Environment - had lodged the initial application.