251106006620 - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE EXISTING MEATCO OKAPUKA FEEDLOT AND TANNERY

Meatco is a leading player in the meat processing industry and plays a vital role in the national and international meat market. The main Meatco operations involve the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of red meat and associated by-products. Meatco operates on a large scale with multiple facilities across the country and the Okapuka feedlot and tannery is one its largest facilities across the country. The Okapuka feedlot has a stocking density of around 9,800 cattle and uses an animal production system which helps animals younger than 18 months, but weighing more than 280 kilograms, to achieve the desired marketability. Feedlot cattle are sourced from communal and commercial producers south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence. Animals in the Okapuka feedlot have spent most of their lives in the veld and come to the feedlot only to be furnished for the market. In the same premises as the feedlot, is the Meatco Okapuka tannery which processes about 20-25 tons of fresh and salted hides daily. The hides are processed into wet-blue product for local and export markets into wet-blue product for local and export markets. The wastewater produced in the process plant is grouped into two effluent fractions: Highly alkaline lime-sulphide and lime washes and acidic chrome pickle, chrome wash and the balance from soak de-lime, bate and bate wash. The tannery also produces solid waste from skin liming & fleshing, screens and dry sludge cake from wastewater treatment process. Meatco appointed Green Gain Consultants cc to develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and obtain an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for the continued operation and management of the existing Meatco Okapuka feedlot and tannery