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Senzeni Zokwana, President of South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers will attend the Anglo American AGM today (24 April) to demand justice for thousands of ex gold miners suffering with silicosis. He will accuse the board of procrastinating for the last 20 years over the fate of thousands of ex miners who given their lives for apartheid gold. Senzeni will demand that the company pay for testing, healthcare and decent compensation for ex-miners and their families who are suffering with the consequences of silicosis, particularly TB.
 
Outside the AGM protesters will echo his calls and demand that Anglo American should ‘cough up now’.
 
Senzeni Zokwana said “Anglo American, like many other mining companies, made its fortune from apartheid gold. After 20 years of democracy the mining industry has still not admitted its moral responsibility for those who dug for gold in terrible conditions without the protection they needed. Thousands of ex gold miners have already died from lung disease and thousands more have had their lives destroyed. Unless Anglo American act now, thousands more will die without the healthcare, compensation and support they deserve. Why are silicosis sufferers forced to fight for compensation in the courts? Anglo American need to find a speedy response to an urgent crisis, silicosis sufferers need and deserve decent compensation in their lifetimes.”
 
Silicosis takes 10-20 years to develop, so most sufferers have left the mines and returned to live in rural areas. Whilst there is a statutory compensation system, it provides a very modest level of compensation (though not for pain and suffering and it is related to earnings so continuing apartheid).  Despite government plans to roll out medical facilities, they remain very limited in rural areas, or non-existent. However, without a diagnosis the vast majority of miners have not received compensation.
 
In London and South Africa there are a number of legal actions being taken against companies who were involved in gold mining in the past on behalf of those suffering from silicosis. They include an action in London on behalf of more than 3,500 miners/ex miners against Anglo American South Africa, which disputes the English courts’ ability to hear the claim. In Johannesburg cases include an action on behalf of approximately 17,000 ex miners against 30 mining companies including Anglo American South Africa, Harmony Gold, Anglogold Ashanti and Goldfields.
 
The miners’ demands are supported by the TUC, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) and the London Mining Network all of whom will be protesting outside the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre.
 
Tony Dykes, Director of ACTSA said: “The dangers of silicosis have been known for well over a century, yet black miners, who undertook the dustiest jobs, were given little or no protection. Anglo American South Africa has a moral responsibility as the biggest gold mining company in South Africa throughout the 20th century to lead by example and pay for decent compensation and healthcare for ex gold miners suffering with silicosis now.”