Share

Mining firms to appeal silicosis ruling, says lawyer

Cape Town - Gold mining firms will appeal against a South African court ruling allowing class action suits seeking damages for up to half a million miners who contracted the fatal lung diseases silicosis and tuberculosis, a lawyer for the miners said on Friday.

"We can confirm that they will appeal the ruling," said Charles Abrahams, an attorney who acted on behalf of the miners.

READ: Silicosis: Landmark judgment for mineworkers

A High Court decision last month set the stage for protracted proceedings covering cases dating back decades in the largest class action suits yet in Africa's most industrialised country.

Silicosis is an incurable disease caused by inhaling silica dust from gold-bearing rocks. It causes shortness of breath, a persistent cough and chest pains, and also makes people highly susceptible to tuberculosis.

The court's upper estimate of potential claimants is significantly higher than previous estimates at 500 000 claimants.

"Assuming a conservative claim of $6 500 (about R100 000) per claimant, this approximates claims in the total amount of $3.25bn (R50.7bn)," said Max Ebrahim, South African based insurance partner at law firm Clyde & Co.

Anglo American [JSE:AGL], Africa's top gold producer AngloGold Ashanti [JSE:ANG], Gold Fields [JSE:GFI], Harmony Gold [JSE:HAR], Sibanye Gold [JSE:SGL] and African Rainbow Minerals [JSE:ARI], which were defendants in the judgment handed down May 13, have formed the Occupational Lung Disease (OLD) group to deal with such issues.

The group declined to comment and will respond later on Friday, OLD spokesperson Charmane Russell told Reuters.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders