'Firm "no" to fracking in KZN', 3 Nov 2015:…Matthew Hemming, of SLR Consulting…acting on behalf of Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration [admitted that “fracking is a possible end goal”]…at…the first of 11 public consultation meetings…Rhino, a Texas-owned company…has applied to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa to explore 1.5 million hectares, including 10 000 farms…But…for the company to proceed, it needs to present the agency with an environmental impact assessment which includes public consultation. The 100-strong crowd that attended the first hearing…gave a resounding “no” to any exploration…fear[ing]…[a] detrimental effect…on…water…Kelly Pearson, a Grade 10 pupil…hand-delivered a petition with approximately 200 signatures of pupils…objecting to the “early phase petroleum exploration…”…Pearson said: “I believe the risk to soil and water health will have serious repercussions...I strongly object to this activity, which threatens the future heritage of our children.”…African Conservation Trust CEO Francois du Toit…[called] the “public consultation process”…a “box-ticking exercise”, while…environmentalist Desmond D’Sa called on the affected population to…“Stand up…and organise. [For them] it is about money and profit…” he said…