South African coal mines operated by companies such as Glencore and Anglo American are the main pollutants in Mpumalanga province because they do not fulfill the conditions of the water use license, according to report by the Center for Environmental Rights.
Compliance with the terms of the water license for the mines operated by South32 Ltd and Exxaro Resources Ltd were assessed in a report by the Center for Environmental Rights. The study revealed “gross violations of water use conditions and water pollution by operators.”
South Africa, the most industrialized country on the continent, uses coal to generate over 90 percent of its electricity. The new study found “multiple violations” by the Department of Water and Sanitation in regulating and verifying compliance with water licenses.
“Pollution of valuable water resources in South Africa is occurring on a particularly egregious scale in areas with high levels of mining,” the report says. “Coal mining is especially harmful because the drainage of acidic water from coal mines pollutes surface and groundwater with acid, salts and metals.”
Anglo American, Glencore, Exxaro and South32 said they will review the results presented before answering in more detail. The Department of Water Resources did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
