"South Africa: Q(h)ubeka Trust has awarded R102 million in compensation to Silicosis sufferers in 19 months", 20 Dec 2017

In the 19 months since the Q(h)ubeka Trust was established, it has awarded approximately R102 million in compensation to qualifying ex-mineworkers suffering from Silica related illnesses. The Trust was founded in March 2016 on the back of the successful conclusion of a lengthy compensation battle by attorneys representing ex-mineworkers who have contracted Silicosis while working for various mines owned by Anglo American South Africa Limited and AngloGold Ashanti Limited. The claimants in the settlement are 4 365 ex-mineworkers from South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho who may be suffering from Silica-related occupational lung diseases as a result of the failure by the mines to ensure adequate protection against the disease for their mineworkers...According to Dr Kisting-Cairncross [Trust Chairman], the R102m awarded to claimants as at 30 November 2017 is a significant achievement, particularly given that locating many of the original claimants has been difficult due to the fact that many contact numbers are no longer valid...To date, approximately 2 350 of the 4 365 claimants have undergone these medical assessments, but less than half of these have been determined to be suffering from Silicosis. Another significant hurdle the Trust faces in determining compensation eligibility is establishing that claimants worked for at least two years at Anglo American South Africa and AngloGold Ashanti Limited-owned mines...