Fracking moves one step closer

Provincial government regards new study as positive, but groups still concerned over health, environment

CONTROVERSIAL fracking in a vast area of the Eastern Cape could become a very real possibility if politicians get their way.

A R16-million study that shows shale gas could be found all the way from Bhisho to Cradock is being used to push for fracking.

But anti-fracking groups say the optimism is based on hypothetical riches and ignores the high cost and potential environmental and health devastation.

With scientists estimating there are underground shale gas deposits in a large expanse of land, fracking would be a dream come true for the Eastern Cape, premier Phumulo Masualle’s spokesman, Sizwe Kupelo, said after the provincial government received the first report based on research in the study.

The research, commissioned by the Eastern Cape government, was done by scientists from NMMU and Africa Earth Observatory Network.