A legal class action case is being prepared against Anglo American South Africa on behalf of Zambian communities living in the vicinity of the Kabwe lead mine.
London-based law firm Leigh Day noted in a statement issued on Friday that the community members are suffering from lead poisoning.
Situated near villages comprising 230 000 residents, the statement said that “tens of thousands” of Kabwe residents are estimated to have developed high blood lead levels, mainly through having ingested dust allegedly contaminated by emissions from the mine smelter and waste dumps.
A series of published reports had found high levels of lead in the blood of a substantial proportion of the local population, especially among the young children, the statement noted.
Law firm Mbuyisa Moleele, in collaboration with Leigh Day, have been investigating the case and liaising with the local communities for the past two years.
The law firms on Friday confirmed that they were preparing the class action in South Africa and that an application to certify a class action would soon be filed in the Johannesburg High Court.
The purpose of the action would be to secure compensation for victims of lead poisoning, including the cost of an effective medical monitoring system for blood lead levels among the community.
According to Mbuyisa Moleele director Zanele Mbuyisa, the firm will argue that the environmental damage created has potentially contaminated almost three generations of men, women and children.
In an emailed response to Mining Weekly Online on Monday, Anglo American South Africa acknowledged the announcement, and said that it would review the claims and take all steps it considers appropriate and necessary "to defend its position".