"Platinum Producer Zimplats Under Fire Over 'Poor' Health Standards", 10 Jan 2016

Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Ltd (Zimplats) [part of Impala Platinum] is under fire from employees who accuse the company of "firing" workers who have contracted pneumoconiosis which is caused by poor health standards in mining operations...The wrangle between the workers and the company came after one employee who was recommended to be discharged from employment on medical grounds...successfully proved that the pneumoconiosis disease that prompted the company to fire him was caused by the company's poor health and safety standards. Another employee...is said to have died while receiving treatment at the company's hospital for suspected pneumoconiosis.

Zimplats Head of Corporate Affairs, Busi Chindove, said the company has four confirmed pneumoconiosis [cases]... Chindove added: "He (Kanyalaza) was retired in June 2015 after being diagnosed by Zimplats doctors with a condition that meant he could not continue working in a dusty environment without compromising his health hence the recommendation for retirement on medical grounds."