Africa Energy Corp has announced that the Company, through its investment in Main Street 1549 Pty Ltd., which holds an interest in Block 11B/12B, offshore the Republic of South Africa, has obtained an extension to the deadline for the submission of a new Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ('ESIA') to May 4, 2026. View PDF version.
The extension to the ESIA has been granted in light of the recent decision by the Western Cape High Court in South Africa to set aside an environmental authorization for offshore exploration operations in Block 5/6/7 (held by an unrelated party) so that additional, new and amended environmental assessments can be conducted and placed before the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources for reconsideration. An application for leave to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal has been launched by the unrelated party. The Company is therefore engaging with its advisors, including legal counsel, to determine the amendments and additions which may be required to its ESIA as a result of the High Court decision. Due to the High Court decision, which is pending appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, there is no certainty on the timing of the grant of the environmental authorization after the submission of the amended ESIA. The grant of the environmental authorization is a pre-requisite to the grant of the production right in relation to Block 11B/12B. The Company is continuing to gather information and work with applicable regulators in order to better understand the current situation. Africa Energy will provide an update on such timing and status once it has further information.
Main Street currently holds a 10% participating interest in Block 11B/12B, offshore South Africa. Subject to all relevant regulatory approvals by South African authorities in respect to the withdrawal of the joint venture partners in Block 11B/12B and completion of the restructuring of Main Street (previously announced May 29, 2025), the Company expects to hold a 75% direct interest in Block 11B/12B. Both the assignment of the withdrawing parties' interest in Block 11B/12B to Main Street and the completion of the Main Street restructuring require grant of the production right in relation to Block 11B/12B.
Source: Africa Energy
