A working group of South African gold mining companies last week showcased a host of engineering measures aimed at ‘designing out’ the risk of workers contracting silicosis, the dreaded lung disease for which former mineworkers are now seeking compensation through the courts. The engineering measures to reduce silicosis exposure to an industry milestone of 0.05 mg/m3 by 2024 were outlined to the media and other stakeholders during a visit to Sibanye Gold’s Driefontein mine, on the West Rand of Johannesburg, where this mineworker is seen in action at the rock face. Simultaneously, the South Gauteng High Court was hearing an application by the lawyers of 59 mineworkers who have contracted silicosis or tuberculosis, who wanted to represent a wider class of miners affected by these diseases.