Bongwana Natural CO2 Release Pilot Monitoring Project
Stakeholder Engagement Plan
1. Background
The South African Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage (SACCCS) was launched in 2009 by the South
African government in collaboration with international governments and industry. SACCCS has been
mandated to further the technical understanding of carbon capture and storage (CCS) potential in South
Africa. SACCCS’s focus is on the development of the Pilot CO2 Storage Project (PCSP) which aims to
demonstrate safe and secure geological storage in South African conditions.
Critical to the successful development and execution of the PCSP will be the monitoring of the injected,
stored CO2 to ensure it is behaving as expected and to verify that it is indeed permanently stored.
PCSP monitoring, initially for the establishment of a baseline, can only commence once a site has been
selected for the project. Prior to this time however it is important that SACCCS builds capacity around CO2
monitoring including building experience with different monitoring equipment and techniques. To
address this SACCCS is planning to develop a monitoring research programme at the Bongwana Natural
CO2 Release (BNCR) which is situated near the town of Harding in the South African province of KwaZuluNatal.
The BNCR, according to the research that has been done at the site, occurs along the Bongwan geological
fault with the proposal that the CO2 originates from rain water migrating down the fault, dissolving
carbonates at depth with the resulting CO2 travelling back up the fault to surface. At the surface the CO2
can be seen bubbling to the surface where it is released under water. It is however expected that the
majority of the CO2 being released is under farmland and natural vegetation and so remains largely
undetected.
There are many analogous natural CO2 releases around the world which have proven to be valuable
natural laboratories for developing techniques and building skills relevant to CO2 storage which is why the
SACCCS research programme at the BNCR was initially proposed.
2. The BNCR Sites
The BNCR is associated with the large Karoo-aged fault which affects the rocks of the Karoo Supergroup
which cover most part of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The gas exhalations from the Bongwana fault
consist of more than 97% carbon dioxide and CO2 exhalations have been measured at up to 46kg/hour.
The fault extends for at least 80 km. Exhalations have been discovered at seven localities around
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Bongwana and there could be many more natural release sites in the area. It was recommended that
regional study of groundwater should be undertaken including surveys of water wells to understand if
there is any impact thereof.
3. BNCR Workshop
In September 2014, SACCCS hosted the Research Scoping Workshop for the BNCR at Ingeli Forest Lodge,
KwaZulu-Natal. The BNCR workshop was held over three days and consisted of international and local
participants. The international experts were selected based on their experience with respect to CO2
monitoring, in particular at operating CO2 storage sites, at natural CO2 releases and at controlled CO2
releases. The local experts were selected based on their organisations, experience and/or potential
relevance to the type of activities proposed at the BNCR. The first day included a series of presentations
including an introduction to SACCCS and the PCSP, an overview of the geology in South Africa and local to
the BNCR, and a recap of the workshop objectives. The second day was a field/site visit which included
stops at areas where CO2 is being released. Day two also involved some presentations on natural CO2
release studies from around the world and CO2 monitoring techniques. The last day of the workshop
focused on the development of a research programme for the BNCR as well as identifying next steps.
3.1.
Objectives of the Workshop
The aim of the workshop was:
• To scope the types of activities and unique work packages that could be done at the BNCR for the
benefit of the PCSP and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) globally;
• To identify research organisations in South Africa and internationally that could collaborate and
contribute to the execution of activities/work packages;
• To identify budget requirements and funding streams for the planned research;
• To define next steps in developing a work programme and raising budget for a study programme
at Bongwana within the next six months.
3.2.
Workshop Outcomes
During the workshop a local government officials complained that SACCCS and other participants were in
their area without consulting them.
Based on the above sentence it was important that SACCCS engage all the relevant stakeholder before
the commencement of the BNCT PMP.
Below are some of the outcomes/recomendations of the conference with regard to stakeholder
engagement
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3.2.1. BNCR Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement in the potential sites has been highlighted as one of the critical steps towards
the commencement of the BNCR. Communication and public engagement around the Bongwana site were
highlighted as both challenges and opportunities. A specific work package devoted to communication and
engagement was recommended. Additionally, the potential for framing Bongwana and PCSP as analogous
activities was discussed as a potential communication objective. Tying the Bongwana and PCSP together
as an explicit link was seen as a positive way to support stakeholder engagement activities. Stakeholder
engagement aspects to consider safety issues and permitting.
The additional aims of the Bongwana programme potential discussed by the participants including
preparation for PCSP, international interest and funding, and advancement of science while leveraging
SACCCS’ opportunity to build capacity and share knowledge. It was stated that SACCCS have to develop
true expertise in country rather than minimal expertise with reliance on international experts for longterm efforts.
3.2.2. Social impacts, Public engagement and communication
Amongst other things that were agreed during the workshop was to include Social impacts, public
engagement, and communications in general.
The Social impacts, Public engagement and communication scope involves;
3.2.2.1.
3.2.2.2.
3.2.2.3.
3.2.2.4.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
3.2.2.5.
3.2.2.6.
3.2.2.7.
3.2.2.8.
3.2.2.9.
3.2.2.10.
Identifying relevant landowners & stakeholders
How can local/traditional knowledge and traditional beliefs contribute to geological
characterization and environmental monitoring?
Potential for research project to impact social and economic processes
Public engagement opportunities and threats
Methods for communication planning and message development
The development and cultivation of local project advocates/ local liaisons
Understanding local relationships to springs and emissions
Sensitivity training for researchers
Understanding impacts and efficacies of a capacity building programme
Understanding ownership and land use
Using common knowledge of groundwater and other resources to understand
groundwater/resource quality
Internal project risk assessment
Health and safety
Monitoring in confined spaces and buildings
4. BNCR Action Plan
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Figure 1: Natural CO2 Release Spots
Monitoring Site
1. Umzimkulwana
River
Stakeholder (s)Name
Ugu DM
Umuziwabantu LM
2. Naiker Farm
3. Oribi Gorge
4. Natal Portland
Cement
5. Umtamvuna
River CO2 springs
Ugu Local House of
Traditional Leaders
Eric Naiker (Landowner)
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
KZN Wildlife
Natal Portland Cement
NPC: Environmental
Coordinated Committee
Mbizana LM
OR Tambo DC
Type of Engagement/Involvement
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Liaise with the Environmental Section
Site visits with local officials
Liaise with Project Management Unit
Site visits with local officials
Liaise with Traditional Representatives
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


Liaise with the Environmental Section
Liaise with the Environmental Section
Site visits
Liaise with the Environmental Section
Liaise with committee members




Liaise with the Environmental Section
Site visits with local officials
Liaise with Project Management Unit
Site visits with local officials
Interest/Influence
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, all relevant stakeholders must be engaged and provided with information about the
objectives, basic principles regarding the BNCR pilot monitoring project.
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