Anglo American Faces Appeal Decision in Kabwe Lead Pollution Case

(IN BRIEF) Anglo American acknowledges the High Court of South Africa’s recent decision to grant claimants the right to appeal against the dismissal of their class action application regarding lead pollution in Kabwe, Zambia. Despite the prior dismissal due to legal and factual flaws, the court’s decision allows for further legal proceedings. Anglo American reaffirms its stance of opposing the appeal, maintaining that the claim is misconceived and that it holds no responsibility for the situation in Kabwe. For more detailed information, Anglo American directs interested parties to their website.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 22-Apr-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Anglo American notes the decision by the High Court of South Africa on 19 April 2024 to grant the claimants the right to appeal against the prior High Court judgment that dismissed the application for certification of a class action brought against Anglo American South Africa Limited (“AASA”), by law firms Leigh Day and Mbuyisa Moleele, on behalf of certain Zambian claimants in respect of the effects of lead pollution in the town of Kabwe, Zambia.

The High Court dismissed the certification application in December 2023 after almost a year of deliberation, clearly highlighting the claim’s multiple legal and factual flaws and deeming it not in the interest of justice for the class action to proceed.

The grant of the right to appeal is simply a recognition by the High Court that an appeal to another Court is a viable option for the claimants to follow in the South African legal process. It does not undermine the High Court decision that dismissed the application in December 2023.

Anglo American will oppose any appeal that may follow. As Anglo American has stated throughout, it has every sympathy for the situation in Kabwe, but is not responsible for it. Anglo American has stated from the outset that this claim is entirely misconceived.

More detailed information relating to this legal claim can be found on Anglo American’s website, here

Media Contact:

Media Relation:
UK
James Wyatt-Tilby
Email: james.wyatt-tilby@angloamerican.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759

Marcelo Esquivel
Email: marcelo.esquivel@angloamerican.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8891

Rebecca Meeson–Frizelle
Email: Rebecca.meeson-frizelle@angloamerican.com
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7968 1374

South Africa
Nevashnee Naicker
Email: nevashnee.naicker@angloamerican.com
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 3189

Sibusiso Tshabalala
Email: sibusiso.tshabalala@angloamerican.com
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2175

Investor Relation:
UK
Paul Galloway
Email: paul.galloway@angloamerican.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8718

Emma Waterworth
Email: Emma.waterworth@angloamerican.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8574

Juliet Newth
Email: juliet.newth@angloamerican.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8830

Michelle Jarman
Email: michelle.jarman@angloamerican.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 1494

SOURCE: Anglo American