Two years after the Tshiamiso Trust started processing claims for an historic R5-billion settlement agreement, the trust has announced that the first R1-billion has been paid over to 11 316 eligible silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) claimants.

The trust was established in 2020 to give effect to the settlement agreement reached between six mining companies and claimant attorneys in the historic silicosis and TB class action. The companies are African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye-Stillwater and Gold Fields.

“It’s been two years since the Tshiamiso Trust officially began accepting claim lodgements. Two years of serving our claimants, with the help of service providers, stakeholders and our staff.

"Our people come to work every day with the mission of impacting lives for the better, and the first billion rand paid out to over 11 000 families is just the beginning. We know that there are many frustrations, and we know that no compensation will ever be enough to undo the suffering endured by mineworkers and their families. However, we are committed to deliver on our mandate and to ensure that every family that is eligible for compensation receives it," acting CEO Lusanda Jiya said on March 1.

She pointed out that trusts were limited both in terms of the time in which they can operate and the extent to which they can assist those seeking compensation. The Tshiamiso Trust has a lifespan of 12 years, ending February 2031.

"It cannot change the compensation system and it cannot help people who do not meet the criteria for compensation. What it can and will do is spend the next eight years using the trust as a tool to deliver benefits to as many qualifying ex-mineworkers as possible, by empowering claimants and potential claimants with the correct information and servicing them in the best way possible, within the constraints of the trust deed.

"Unfortunately, the eligibility criteria dictated by the trust deed results in the majority of claims being rejected for medical reasons alone, and many claims, especially for deceased mineworkers taking far longer to process than we’d like,” she noted.