Augusta Ventures backs case against Anglo American

UK-based Augusta Ventures is backing a lead poisoning class action lawsuit in South Africa against Anglo American South Africa Limited (“AASA”) on behalf of a class that could potentially exceed more than 100,000 Zambian children and women of childbearing age. The claim arises from environmental contamination of villages in close proximity to the Kabwe lead mine (formerly known as Broken Hill), in the District of Kabwe, Zambia. Medical studies conducted over the past 45 years have consistently shown massive levels of lead in a significant proportion of young children in Kabwe. Generations of children have been affected.

AASA is a South African subsidiary of London-headquartered multinational mining company Anglo American PLC and hold all the South African assets of the Group.

The case is being brought by South African attorneys, Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys, in collaboration with London-based human rights lawyers, Leigh Day. By taking legal action in South Africa, the victims will benefit from South African class action procedure, attorneys and counsel experienced in running complex class action litigation against multinationals. Augusta is covering experts’ fees and a substantial proportion of the legal costs.

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