By Ed Stoddard
JOHANNESBURG Oct 1 (Reuters) – Anglo American Plc’s
South African unit will face a hearing next year to determine if
it is liable for miners who contracted the lung disease
silicosis while working in its gold shafts, lawyers for the
plaintiffs said on Monday.
Anglo American no longer has gold assets in South Africa,
but the proceedings, initiated by 18 plaintiffs, have been
launched on the grounds that miners contracted the debilitating
disease when the company still ran bullion mines.
The arbitration hearing is scheduled to begin on Sept. 2,
2013 and will be presided over by a panel including South
Africa’s former chief justice, Sandile Ngcobo, they said.
“The hearing will determine if Anglo American South Africa
is liable to compensate the plaintiffs,” said Richard Meeran, a
partner at UK-based law firm Leigh Day Co, which is
representing the miners along with the Legal Resources Centre
and Legal Aid South Africa.
A spokesman for Anglo American in South Africa said the
group and plaintiffs had signed an arbitration agreement.
“All parties are satisfied that the arbitration agreement
represents the most effective way to reach a resolution on these
claims,” said Pranill Ramchander.
Continued…
