space Press Releases, News Stories

Xinhua via NewsEdge Corporation

South Africa had not yet ratified an amendment to the Basel Convention prohibiting the trans-boundary movement of hazardous material which was destined for disposal, he said in a statement. He said nevertheless, the country was committed to responsible global management of hazardous waste, including contributing to research and exchange of information to rid the world of such problems.

Moosa was reacting to claims by two local environment watchdog bodies that a South African parastatal has imported 60 tons of toxic waste from Australia which contained dangerously high levels of lead and arsenic. They said the export of hazardous waste from one Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development state to another was banned in terms of the convention, to which South Africa was a signatory.

Moosa said South Africa had issued the permit to mineral and metallurgical technology company Mintek with a clear understanding that the shipment must have a liability insurance; the material would be returned to Australia after the research was finished; and the results of the research would be shared between the two governments.

"Furthermore, this information will assist the Basel Convention to manage this waste in a responsible and environmentally sound manner, " Moosa said. "The research work undertaken by Mintek is a contribution to promoting the globally agreed hierarchy of waste management, which places a preference on recycling above disposal, " he said.