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| South Africa gold miners to sue over lung disease | South Africa gold miners to sue over lung disease |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former gold miners in South Africa can go ahead with a class action against mining companies over health damage allegedly caused by their work, a court in Johannesburg has ruled. | Former gold miners in South Africa can go ahead with a class action against mining companies over health damage allegedly caused by their work, a court in Johannesburg has ruled. |
| The high court decision paves the way for what would become the largest class action in South African history. | The high court decision paves the way for what would become the largest class action in South African history. |
| The ex-miners say they contracted silicosis, an incurable lung disease, after years of working in the mines. | The ex-miners say they contracted silicosis, an incurable lung disease, after years of working in the mines. |
| The court said that a class action was "the only realistic option". | The court said that a class action was "the only realistic option". |
| Africa Live: The latest BBC African news updates | Africa Live: The latest BBC African news updates |
| Judge Phineas Mojapelo's decision could lead to a court case lasting up to 10 years, the BBC's Nomsa Maseko reports from Johannesburg. | Judge Phineas Mojapelo's decision could lead to a court case lasting up to 10 years, the BBC's Nomsa Maseko reports from Johannesburg. |
| But the former miners are still hopeful that the case could help improve their lives as well as those of their families, our reporter says. | But the former miners are still hopeful that the case could help improve their lives as well as those of their families, our reporter says. |
| Among the defendants in the case are Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony Gold. | |
| The companies are now studying the judgement and added, in a statement quoted by the AFP news agency: "It should be noted that the finding does not represent a view on the merits of the cases brought by claimants." | |
| Analysis: Pumza Fihlani, BBC Africa, Johannesburg | Analysis: Pumza Fihlani, BBC Africa, Johannesburg |
| The lawyers representing the miners believe this court ruling marks the first step towards justice. | The lawyers representing the miners believe this court ruling marks the first step towards justice. |
| Most of the miners who allegedly contracted silicosis while working underground have been unable to work for many years, dependent on government grants for a living. | Most of the miners who allegedly contracted silicosis while working underground have been unable to work for many years, dependent on government grants for a living. |
| The claims, going back decades, also involve former miners from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho. | The claims, going back decades, also involve former miners from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho. |
| One of the companies in this case, Anglo American, reached a $30m (£21m) suit with 400 miners in a separate silicosis case. | One of the companies in this case, Anglo American, reached a $30m (£21m) suit with 400 miners in a separate silicosis case. |
| It is not clear if this class action will be settled out of court, but for the miners who say they have waited for too long, a speedy resolution would be a form of justice. | It is not clear if this class action will be settled out of court, but for the miners who say they have waited for too long, a speedy resolution would be a form of justice. |
| Silicosis, caused by inhaling the silica dust in gold-bearing rocks, can lead to breathing difficulties, regular coughing and chest pains, and it can also lead to tuberculosis. | Silicosis, caused by inhaling the silica dust in gold-bearing rocks, can lead to breathing difficulties, regular coughing and chest pains, and it can also lead to tuberculosis. |
| Gold mining has played a central role in South Africa's history, with Johannesburg, its largest city, being built on the gold reefs. | Gold mining has played a central role in South Africa's history, with Johannesburg, its largest city, being built on the gold reefs. |
| But in recent years, its contribution to the economy has declined with the metal contributing 1.7% to GDP in 2013, according to Statistics South Africa, | But in recent years, its contribution to the economy has declined with the metal contributing 1.7% to GDP in 2013, according to Statistics South Africa, |