South African Court Opens Door to Claims Against Mining Co's

By Joel ScanlonMar 7 2011

A decision of a South African court to allow miners suffering from lung disease to sue their employers may spell millions of dollars in damages to the mining industry. A recent ruling of the Supreme Court ordered a mining firm in Johannesburg to pay compensation to the family of a dead miner. This overturns a law which prohibited mine workers with lung diseases from claiming compensation.

A unanimous decision written by Judge Sisi Khampepe said that the terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and were not just restricted to the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act, which provides for less compensation.

Anglo Gold Ashanti has been asked to pay the relatives of Thembekile Mankayi who developed lung disease due to 17 year of mining. The lawyer Richard Spoor said that this decision will allow thousand of mine workers who are suffering from lung disease to claim compensation and should give mining companies an incentive to make mining a safer activity.

A statement released by Anglo Gold Ashanti said that the company was striving to address the underground working conditions and it hoped that the ruling of the Supreme Court would not threaten the viability of the industry.

Written by

Joel Scanlon

Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.

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Scanlon, Joel. (2019, March 19). South African Court Opens Door to Claims Against Mining Co's. AZoMining. Retrieved on April 25, 2024 from https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3653.
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Scanlon, Joel. "South African Court Opens Door to Claims Against Mining Co's". AZoMining. 25 April 2024. <https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3653>.
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Scanlon, Joel. "South African Court Opens Door to Claims Against Mining Co's". AZoMining. https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3653. (accessed April 25, 2024).
Harvard
Scanlon, Joel. 2019. South African Court Opens Door to Claims Against Mining Co's. AZoMining, viewed 25 April 2024, https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3653.