BDLive reports that gold mining companies have applied to appeal against almost all aspects of last month’s landmark silicosis class action certification ruling by the high court.  

This move, although not unexpected, could delay or prevent the start of the trial that could see compensation for tens of thousands of affected mine workers.  Appeal applications were lodged on Friday by Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), Anglo American SA (AASA), DRDGold, African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Harmony Gold.  One of the main grounds of appeal was that the group of potential claimants certified as a class by the high court was too broad.  The broad classes would make the litigation unwieldy and unmanageable, said some of the applications.  Among other issues contested was the court’s approach to "common issues".  Meantime, the Occupational Lung Disease Working Group — made up of ARM, AASA, AGA, Gold Fields, Harmony and Sibanye Gold — said on Friday that it was pressing ahead with settlement negotiations.

• Read this report by Franny Rabkin at BDLive
• Read too, Mining companies appeal silicosis judgment, at Daily Maverick

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page