Anti-fracking lobby meets government

The Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) would keep an open mind on claims that shale gas may prove a "game changer" for the local economy, the organisation said on Wednesday (06/08/2014).

If the claims were correct, they could be validated by scientific investigation, and a thorough cost-benefit analysis in which science could inform policy, TKAG CEO Jonathan Deal said in a statement following a meeting with officials from the mineral resources department.

The TKAG opposes licensing shale gas exploration, a process that involves hydraulic fracturing, also called fracking.

In his state-of-the-nation address in June this year, President Jacob Zuma said shale gas "is recognised as a game changer for our economy".

Accompanying Deal at Wednesday's meeting was advocate Paul Hoffman of the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa, and AfriForum's environmental affairs head Julius Kleynhans.

Deal said the meeting was the result of an invitation from the department.

"Aspects raised by TKAG and AfriForum addressed, among others, the so-called five critical areas of debate around shale gas in South