Corporate Social Review Magazine 3rd & 4th QUARTER 2012 | Page 17

Photographer: Theuns Botha Coldbrook Barkly East Review Environment Editorial supplied by Air and water pollution as a result of mining, acid mine drainage, toxic waste and abandoned mines continue to pose serious risks to South Africa's communities and its environment, says the Bench Marks Foundation. Bench Marks Centre for CSR; was formally launched in January 2012. Prof. Freek Cronjé, former head of the Subject Group: Sociology is heading the centre as Director. The single most destructive impact of mining is on the environment. Mine waste is still the largest source of pollution in South Africa and the country is one of the world's largest emitters of CO2 in terms of population size. The establishment of the new centre is an important development for South Africa, which is considered a world leader in mining Furthermore the impact old coal ?elds poses on our scarce water supplies as a result of contamination due to heavy metals seeping into water resources, has reached epic proportions. CORPORATE SOCIAL REVIEW 15