Mining Weekly writes that the certification of class action status to current and former gold mineworkers suffering from silicosis and tuberculosis potentially opens the door for similar litigation across several sectors, including coal and manganese.  

The action is against over 30 historic and current gold mining companies in South Africa.  Paul Fouché of law firm Fasken Martineau explains that there is common ground between the sectors in so far as miners have contracted lung diseases by inhaling the dust at mining operations.  He points out that cases of pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease, caused by the inhalation of coal dust, have been well documented.  Further, a research paper last year reported that the possibility of class action litigation against South African coal mining companies was being investigated, and that there could be future class action litigation against manganese mining companies.

• Read this report in full at Mining Weekly

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