Major Hazardous Installation registration for the proposed expansion of Bitrad Agricultural Chemical Plant in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng
Bitrad Consulting (Pty) Ltd develops, manufactures and markets agricultural chemicals, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and growth regulators. The Bitrad facility is located approximately 12 km southwest of the City of Tshwane (CoT) and 0.5 km off the R55 road in Sunderland Ridge, Centurion in Gauteng Province.
Bitrad obtained an Environmental Authorisation (EA) under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) on 5 December 2025 (Gaut 002/24-25/E4029) from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) for the intention to increase their production of pesticides storing more than 80 cubic metres (m3) of dangerous goods at their facility. As part of this process a public participation process was conducted, which included a public meeting which was held on 10 September 2024.
Bitrad obtained a Provisional Atmospheric Emissions Licence (PAEL) under the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (NEM:AQA) (Act 39 of 2004) on 20 May 2026 for the increase in production of pesticides to more than 100 metric tonnes (MT) per annum. Furthermore, in terms of sub-regulation 4(4) of the New Major Hazards Installation Regulations (GNR.2989 of 31 January 2023) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) (Act 85 of 1993), the Bitrad operation is defined as a Major Hazard Installation (MHI) with a hazard establishment classification of ‘high’ and thus the site must be registered with the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL), with approvals obtained from any relevant municipal, provincial or national departments. The MHI risk assessment has been conducted by an Approved Inspection Authority (AIA).
The existing facility has sufficient manufacturing and storage capacity for the proposed additional product and storage volumes therefore the footprint of the facility will remain unchanged.
Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants was appointed as an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the relevant EA and AEL processes, as per the NEMA and NEM:AQA, as well as the MHI registration process as per the OHSA regulations.
The MHI registration has been submitted to the DoEL, as the respective Competent Authority. The CoTMM has been a commenting authority during the EA and AEL processes. Interested and Affected Parties are invited to comment on the MHI registration.
Written comments, specifically with regards to the MHI registration can be made until 24 August 2026 as follows:
Lazarus Rammutla – Chief inspector, DoEL
239 Concillium Building, Cnr Nana Sita and Thabo Sehume Streets, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (12) 309 5000
Dr. Tshepo Sethakha – Emergency Planning, Emergency Services Department of the CoTMM
Station 1, Room 207,Cnr Bosman and Minaar Street, Pretoria, 0002, Tel: +27 (12) 358 1022