The Catholic Church said on Wednesday it is shepherding a class action against mining companies in South Africa on behalf of coal miners who suffered from lung disease.
The Southern African Bishops Conference said lawyers filed papers with South Africa's High Court on Tuesday.
"Very often ex-mine workers are no longer members of trade unions and therefore lack the means and capacity to seek legal recourse from large companies which are responsible for their lung diseases," said Archbishop of Cape Town Stephen Brislin.
"It is thus incumbent on the Church to give assistance where it can... so that they can access compensation that is legally due to them."
The miners are represented by Richard Spoors, a lawyer who has won compensation in similar cases before.
Filed on behalf of 17 former and current mine workers, the case targets global mining giant BHP, its spin-off South32 and South Africa's Seriti, Dasantha Pillay, a lawyer with Spoors' firm, told AFP.
It seeks recourse for all miners who worked for these companies since 1965 and contracted lung disease, as well as dependents of workers who died from coal dust-induced illness.
South32, which was active in South Africa's coal sector between 2015 and 2021, confirmed it was notified of the class action.
"This matter is currently being considered by the business. We are unable to comment further at this point in time," the company said.
BHP and Seriti did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The church said it initiated and facilitated the case after it was approached by mine workers for assistance.
Coal is a bedrock of South Africa's economy, employing almost 100,000 people and accounting for 80 percent of electricity production.
The industry is concentrated in the eastern Mpumalanga region which Greenpeace says has some of the dirtiest air in the world.
Despite knowing the risks to coal miners, the companies failed to provide their workers with adequate training, equipment, and a safe working environment, according to the class action.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Analyst Summary
:This article discusses the Catholic Churchs initiative to file a class action lawsuit against major mining companies in South Africa on behalf of miners who have developed lung disease due to their work in the coal industry. The lawsuit is being spearheaded by lawyers and seeks compensation for all miners who have worked for BHP, South32, and Seriti since 1965, as well as for the dependents of workers who have died as a result of coal dust-induced illnesses. The Church is taking this action after being approached by mine workers for assistance, as it is often difficult for them to access legal recourse to seek compensation from large companies.
Defense Industry Analyst:
This article is highly relevant from a defense industry analyst perspective, as it reveals the potential long-term health risks associated with the mining of coal in South Africa. This is important information for defense industry analysts to be aware of, as the coal industry plays a major role in South Africas economy and provides the country with much of its electricity production. By bringing this lawsuit, the Catholic Church is highlighting the potential risks associated with coal mining and is pushing for greater accountability from large mining companies.
Stock Market Analyst:
This article is relevant to stock market analysts as it sheds light on the potential financial implications of a lawsuit of this scale. The lawsuit is being brought against some of the largest mining companies in South Africa, and if successful, could result in a significant financial outlay. This information can be used by stock market analysts to make informed decisions about investments in these companies, and to assess their long-term viability.
General Industry Analyst:
This article is of significant relevance from a general industry analyst perspective, as it reveals the potential impacts of the lawsuit on the mining industry as a whole. It is important for industry analysts to be aware of the potential implications of such a lawsuit, as the success of the case could have far-reaching impacts on the industry, including increased costs associated with greater health and safety standards.
In the past 25 years, there has been a clear trend towards greater legal accountability for the actions of large mining companies and an increased focus on health and safety standards. This article is in line with these trends, as it highlights the potential legal and financial implications of the lawsuit, as well as the potential impacts on health and safety standards.
Investigative Questions
for Analysts: - 1. What are the potential impacts of the lawsuit on South Africas coal industry, both in the short and long-term?
- 2. What are the implications of this lawsuit for other mining companies operating in South Africa?
- 3.
Are there any other legal actions similar to this one that have been successful in the past? 4. How would a successful lawsuit affect the economic outlook for South Africas coal industry?
5. What measures can be taken to prevent similar lawsuits from being filed in the future?
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