Anglo American Face Lawsuit Over Poisoning Of Children

Residents of Kabwe have filed a class action lawsuit against the Anglo American mining company for allegedly failing to prevent the spread of toxic lead pollution in the town. 

Kabwe hosted one of the world’s largest lead mines for decades and scientists have since reported “alarming” levels of lead in people’s blood.

“The public environmental health disaster left behind by Anglo means there are more than 100,000 children and women of childbearing age in Kabwe who are likely to have suffered lead poisoning as a result of pollution caused by Anglo,” lawyers for the prosecution argue. 

Lawyers argue that Anglo America’s South African subsidiary is liable for the poisoning as it was responsible for the mine between 1925 and 1974, when the majority of the pollution was caused. 

A scientific study of 1,190 people in Kabwe, published in 2019, concluded that the extent of lead exposure “poses a serious public hazard and should be given urgent attention”.

“Childhood lead poisoning has devastating effects on neurological development and causes overt clinical signs including convulsions and coma,” said the scientists. The average blood lead level in Kabwe residents was nine times above the United States safe threshold. 

The case against Anglo-American is being brought by 13 representatives plaintiffs, including women and children with very high blood lead levels. 

Richard Meeran of Leigh Day, a UK-based law firm acting on behalf of the plaintiffs, said operating a large mine so close to communities was a clear risk: “Unfortunately, it appears that Anglo failed to ensure that sufficient measures were in place.”