Other miners ‘may follow’ after Anglo case

With Anglo American Ssimons 5 5 a cone crusherA in the sights of two separate groups of miners that are suing it for compensation after contracting silicosis or silico-tuberculosis, the UK-based law firm representing the larger of these groups has not ruled out action against other mining houses.

In the latest action, 450 gold mine workers have lodged papers in the London High Court claiming what could amount to millions of pounds’ compensation for the miners, or, where they have died, their dependants. Anglo American SA, a Johannesburg-registered wholly owned subsidiary of London-based Anglo American plc, has not formally been served with the papers, and UK law firm Leigh Day & Company , representing the miners, has six months in which to do this, said Leigh Day partner Richard Meeran, announcing the action in Johannesburg yesterday. Anglo American said because papers had not been served, it had not examined the arguments put forward and could not comment on the London-based litigation. The miners claim the company did not properly protect them from dust, which led to their contracting silicosis, or silico- tuberculosis. Mr Meeran said while proper protection would...