Johannesburg - The high court judgement that granted mine workers the nod to launch a silicosis class action against mining companies was a victory for the disease-stricken workers, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Friday.
“This is a huge victory for the thousands of former mine workers who contracted silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis in the mines. Cosatu encourages all affected miners and families of the deceased miners to ensure that they join this class action against gold mining companies,” said spokesman Sizwe Pamla.
Handing down the landmark judgement in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday, Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo said the class action was a suitable option for the miners, as workers did not have the resources and financial means to access the courts individually.
The case was brought to court by two legal firms and the Legal Resources Centre, representing more than 25 000 mine workers who contracted the lung decease while working underground at the country's gold mines.
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The consolidated cases spanned over five decades and are against the country's gold miners, past and present.
Defendants in the case included companies such as Harmony Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Sibanye Gold, African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Anglo American.
Pamla said lives were lost due to the failure by companies to prevent exposure to silica dust.
“The mine bosses through greed, mismanagement, short-sightedness and narrow focus on their profits have destroyed the industry and people's lives. Some of them are currently closing down mines leaving behind a trail of poverty, illnesses and environmental damage. They are not even retraining their workers or investing in the communities that have hosted them and allowed them to operate their mines.”
Silicosis is a lung decease, mostly prevalent in mine workers, and caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica.
When miners are exposed to excessive amounts, silica dust gets locked into the lungs and permanently scars the organ. Symptoms include persistent coughing and shortness of breath. It often leads to tuberculosis and death.
AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY