Social Partnership--Varsity, NGO launch research centre aimed at improving living conditions of near-mine communities

摘要

Anew research centre aimed primarily at improving the living conditions of near-mine communities has been established at the North-West University's (NWU's) Potchefstroom campus.The new Bench Marks Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will mainly focus on mining in the North West, but will also pay attention to mining in other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. One of the major objectives of the initiative is to encourage continued development in the different communities. "We have a diverse province in which mining activities, in particular, figure quite extensively. Thousands of employees are involved and we must make sure that the wellbeing of these communities is looked after," says NWU's Professor Freek Cronje"We have already been involved in research on the impacts of CSR but, withhelp from NWU, we can strengthen and broaden our focus.