Mining giant Anglo American South Africa has reacted to the claims that it turned a blind eye to lead poisoning in Zambia.
Anglo American argues that an attempt is made to ensure the mining company is held responsible for what it did not do in the mining town of Kabwe.
The ongoing case, a hearing to determine whether the lawsuit can be classified as a class action for as many as 140 000 women and children, started on Friday and will run until the end of January.
However, Anglo has denied any responsibility and opposes attempts to turn the case into a class action.
“An attempt is being made to hold Anglo American South Africa liable for a mine we have never owned nor operated and for pollution and harm that others have caused,” Anglo said in a response to Bloomberg.
“We do not believe it is correct to attribute legal responsibility to Anglo American South Africa for the current situation.”
According to Gilbert Marcus, who is the legal counsel for the complainants, he said Anglo is aware of these dangers to the Zambian company.
“Anglo knew of these dangers, or at best turned a blind eye to them,” Marcus, counsel for the complainants, said in his opening remarks per Fin24.
“Children were already falling ill and dying of lead poisoning, and a high number of them were suffering from massive blood lead levels while it exercised control of the mine.”
The group lawsuit was filed in South Africa because Anglo was headquartered in Johannesburg when it held a stake in the Broken Hill mine, and it follows several similar cases.
Back in 2018, the company and five other mining companies paid about $390 million to settle a class action by former gold miners suffering from the respiratory disease silicosis.
In addition, Gencor — a mining conglomerate that has now closed — paid $60 million in 2003 to settle claims from asbestos miners.
BusinessTech Africa previously reported that the mining company, Anglo American, previously owned a stake in the Broken Hill Mine between 1925 and 1974.
