[New Era] While Canadian miner ReconAfrica has moved to calm excitement around "potential billions of barrels of oil", the Southern Africa Anglican bishops called for an immediate halt to exploratory drilling by the company, and labelled it a sin. Responding to environmental concerns last week, ReconAfrica spokesperson Ndapewoshali Shapwanale claimed that exploration wells have no impact on the environment. She said all aquifers are protected, using multiple layers of casing and cement.