Six mine companies to finally conclude silicosis settlement
A settlement estimated at about R5bn is expected to be concluded early in 2018 by six mining companies following a class action brought by mine workers suffering from silicosis and occupational tuberculosis. The past and present workers have claimed damages from 32 gold-mining companies for contracting these illnesses while working on the mines. Those involved in the litigation say that a settlement of the case instituted in 2012 is "imminent". The claim was brought against 32 respondents and covered the period 1965 to date. In May 2016, the high court gave the go-ahead for the class action, which if successful could benefit about 100,000 people. The action was brought by lawyer Richard Spoor, law firm Abrahams Kiewitz and the Legal Resources Centre. In a recent presentation to Parliament’s mineral resources committee, former Harmony CEO Graham Briggs, who heads the working group representing six of the mining companies involved, noted that talks with the class-action lawyers — unde...
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