Settlement for sick miners today

A lawyer acting for nearly half a million miners who contracted the lung diseases silicosis and tuberculosis in mines said an out-of-court settlement was expected to be signed today with the gold companies implicated in the issue.

The high court in 2016 set the stage for protracted proceedings on cases dating back decades in the largest class action suit yet in South Africa’s most industrialised industry.

“Barring unforeseen circumstances, we expect to sign the silicosis agreement with the gold industry [on Thursday],” Richard Spoor said yesterday.

The suit was launched about six years ago on behalf of miners suffering from silicosis, contracted by inhaling silica dust in gold mines.

The settlement, which would also cover those who contracted tuberculosis, would still need approval by the high court before being implemented.

The Gold Mining Industry Working Group on Occupational Lung Disease could not be reached for comment.

South African gold producers say they have set aside R5 billion in provisions for the settlement.

The six companies involved are Harmony Gold, Gold Fields, African Rainbow Minerals, Sibanye-Stillwater, AngloGold Ashanti and Anglo American.

Anglo American no longer has gold assets but historically was a bullion producer. – Reuters

The settlement, which would cover those who contracted tuberculosis and silicosis, would still need approval by the high court before being implemented.