PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Junior unconventional gas explorer Challenger Energy has welcomed reports from the South African media that the South African government will proceed with shale gas development.
The country’s Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane was reportedly quoted as saying that, based on the balance of available scientific evidence, the government took a decision to proceed with the development of shale gas in the Karoo formation of South Africa.
The Minister was also quoted as saying that finalisation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act Amendment Bill would assist in expediting the development of shale gas.
Challenger’s currently holds exploration permits and applications covering some 3 200 km2 of acreage in South Africa, including the previously producing Cranmere project.