Judge throws out Kabwe lead-poisoning case against Anglo American mining

Source: The Guardian

Judge throws out Kabwe lead-poisoning case against Anglo American mining

South African court dismisses huge class-action lawsuit over toxic legacy of mining at Broken Hill in Zambia between 1925 and 1974

Sarah Johnson
Mon 18 Dec 2023 14.22 GMT
Last modified on Mon 18 Dec 2023 14.26 GMT

A South African court has thrown out a case brought against the multinational mining company Anglo American on behalf of 140,000 Zambian women and children, who allege they have suffered lead poisoning from one of its mines.

The lawsuit, one of Africa’s largest class-action cases, was filed in October 2020, accused Anglo American of negligence over its alleged failure to prevent widespread lead poisoning in the Zambian town of Kabwe, where its South African subsidiary is alleged to have played a key role in running a large mine from 1925 until 1974.

Lawyers representing the women and children from the South African firm Mbuyisa Moleele and the UK-based Leigh Day, which made its name bringing human rights and personal injury cases, said they would appeal against the judgment.

The Kabwe lead mine – formerly known as the Broken Hill mine – reportedly contributed to extensive environmental pollution in towns and communities living in the vicinity.

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In a 126-page judgment delivered on 15 December, Justice Leonie Windell, of the Johannesburg high court, said: “The applicants seek permission to advance an untenable claim that would set a grave precedent.

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Read more: https://archive.is/anKI8

Original Guardian link (registration required): https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/18/south-african-judge-throws-out-kabwe-zambia-lead-poisoning-class-action-case-against-anglo-american-mining