scholarly journals The shale gas industry in South Africa: Toward a science action plan. 31 August – 1 September 2017, Proceedings Report

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Gas Industry

scholarly journals A comparative assessment of the economic benefits from shale gas extraction in the Karoo, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Wait ◽  
R Rossouw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Gas Extraction ◽  
Environmental Costs ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Impact

It has been said that the development of a shale gas industry could be a ‘game changer’ for South Africa. Proponents of shale gas tend to emphasise the benefits, whilst opponents emphasise the environmental costs. This paper is an attempt to inform the policy debate by highlighting both the potential economic benefits and environmental costs. To date, the Econometrix report (published in 2012) provides the only estimate of the economic impacts that may emanate from developing the Karoo’s shale gas. The report uses a Keynesian multiplier model to estimate the impacts. The analysis performed in this paper estimates the economic impacts using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling approach, and the results are compared to the findings of the Econometrix report. In doing so, this paper provides an expanded view of the potential economic impact. Accordingly, this paper provides a number of findings on the estimated economic impact of shale gas extraction – based on the application of an economy-wide impact modelling methodology – which should be of interest to both opponents and proponents of the shale gas industry. By including all possible results, such as a boost in public sector jobs and an analysis of the impact on consumer prices and jobs in other sectors, this paper expands the current understanding of the likely impact of shale gas extraction in the Karoo of South Africa.  

Shale gas leakage in lower Ecca shales during contact metamorphism by dolerite sill intrusions in the Karoo Basin, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Nengovhela ◽  
B. Linol ◽  
L. Bezuidenhout ◽  
T. Dhansay ◽  
T Muedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Contact Metamorphism ◽  
Microscopy Imaging ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Karoo Basin ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Host Rocks

Abstract Contact metamorphism along widespread dolerite sills and dykes, emplaced at 182 to 183 Ma through the sedimentary host rocks of the Karoo Basin, triggered devolatilization of carbon-rich shales of the Lower Ecca Group. Hornfel samples collected from drill cores that intersect dolerite sills were analyzed for mineral phase equilibria, chemistry and porosity to characterize thermal aureoles at various distances from sill intrusions. Andalusite-chiastolite and cordierite porphyroblasts with biotite and muscovite occur within 10 to 20 m of many intrusive contacts. These metamorphic minerals crystallized when host shales attained maximum temperatures ranging between 450 and 600°C. Scanning electron microscopy imaging confirms that the hornfels are compact and that their metamorphic minerals limit porosity along grain boundaries. In few cases intra-mineral porosity occurs within individual crystals such as calcite, andalusite and cordierite. Disequilibrium metamorphic textures such as irregular grain boundaries, and inclusions in andalusite and cordierite reveal that the elevated temperatures were too short-lived to accomplish complete (re)crystallization. Thermal modeling results are consistent with the observed metamorphic mineral assemblages. Gas leakage calculations along a 7 m and a 47 m thick dolerite sill that intrude toward the top of the Whitehill Formation suggest that methane volumes ranging between 8 to 15 Tcf were generated during the sill emplacement. Methane was likely released into the atmosphere through hydrothermal vent complexes that are well preserved in the western Karoo Basin. If such loss was widespread across the entire basin, the implications for paleo-climate change and preserved shale gas reserves in the Karoo Basin of South Africa would be significant.

scholarly journals Commercialization Potential of Six Selected Medicinal Plants Commonly Used for Childhood Diseases in South Africa: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Peter Tshepiso Ndhlovu ◽  
Abiodun Olusola Omotayo ◽  
Wilfred Otang-Mbeng ◽  
Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Datura Stramonium ◽  
Childhood Diseases ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Wide Range

Globally, the potential of medicinal plants is increasingly being recognized due to their relative availability, particularly in rural areas. This review explored the ethnobotanical and economic values of six selected medicinal plants widely used to treat and manage childhood diseases in South Africa. Acalypha glabrata, Aloe maculata, Datura stramonium, Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Rhoicissus tridentata and Vachellia karroo were selected based on their high relative frequency of citations for treating a wide range of diseases. Information was obtained from various scientific databases and ethnobotanical books. In addition to being popular for treating childhood diseases, the selected medicinal plants possess diverse applications in traditional medicine for other age groups, highlighting their general therapeutic values. This translates to extensive harvesting, trading and consumption of these plants in order to meet demands on local levels. Currently, empirical data on the economic value of the selected plants remain poorly reported. Even though South Africa has many laws to conserve and promote indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants, their commercialization remains low. Particularly the cultivation of the selected plants needs to be promoted under a participatory management action plan to stimulate the economy of the disadvantaged. A collaborative research framework for the inclusive transformation of indigenous medicinal plants is recommended to reveal their concealed beneficial properties.

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