Creecy proposes new, stricter rules for fracking to safeguard environment, heritage sites

Minister of Environment Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy has published proposed regulations for fracking for onshore gas production.

Fracking involves injecting high-pressure liquid (such as water) to fracture underground rock in order to allow the free flow of oil and gas to the surface. It has been resisted globally and in South Africa due to its harmful environmental, health and safety impacts. Among these include earth tremors, contamination of groundwater, and methane emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change.

Back in 2011, the South African government halted oil and gas company Shell from proceeding with fracking in the Karoo amid objections by environmental groups.