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Oiltanking MOGS Saldanha (RF) (Pty) Ltd. (OTMS), a joint venture between OTGC Holdings (Pty) Ltd. (OTGC) and MOGS (Pty) Ltd (MOGS), has announced that it has been granted Environmental Authorization by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for the development and construction of a commercial crude oil blending and storage terminal with a total capacity of 13.2 million barrels, comprising twelve in-ground concrete tanks in Saldanha Bay.

Oiltanking said the receipt of the Environmental Authorization was a "major milestone" in the project and brings to conclusion a phase that lasted more than two years.

Eight specialist studies were undertaken by independent experts as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Although not required legally, OTMS decided to also conduct a marine oil pollution control study in addition to the EIA to ensure that any and all of its environmental risks are adequately understood and addressed.

According to Oiltanking, the tanks have been designed in such an innovative manner that, should an oil leak develop in one of the tanks, the oil will be collected in a separate layer underneath the tanks and relayed to a special collection point from where it will be pumped back into the tanks. This layer will be continuously monitored.

OTGC Holdings (Pty) Ltd is an independent bulk liquid storage provider in South Africa which combines the expertise in the field of bulk liquids handling of Oiltanking GmbH with the local expertise and the full Black Economic Empowerment credentials of Grindrod South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Calulo Terminals (Pty) Ltd.

"Through direct holdings via Calulo and indirect holding via Grindrod South Africa, the joint venture is a fully empowered entity with a level 2 empowerment classification," Oiltanking said.

MOGS (Pty) Ltd is a South African company owned 100% by Royal Bafokeng Holdings (Pty) Limited (RBH), which provides products and services to the mining, oil and gas sectors of sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world. MOGS delivers its products and services through its dedicated subsidiaries. The group is engaged in the laying and rehabilitation of pipelines, the provision of mining supplies and services, exploration drilling, the manufacturing of locomotives and mining capital equipment as well as oil and gas infrastructure.