Over R9m already paid to mineworkers as part of settlement

The Tshiamiso trust, which has offices in Lyttelton, was created in 2020 to compensate mineworkers in the wake of a R5-billion settlement between six South African mining companies.

It has already compensated its first major batch of 100 mine workers, with payments of more than R9-million.

“Individuals will receive payouts ranging from R25 000 to R250 000,” said Tshiamiso trust spokesperson Monako Dibetle.

“It is expected we will see a steady flow of payments to claimants in the months and years ahead now that the requisite processes have been set up.”

Since July, the trust recorded 39 608 claims lodged since the claims process was opened in February.

Tshiamiso CEO Daniel Kotton acknowledged that the payouts had to take place as quickly as possible.

Kotton said delays were, however, experienced due to reasons resolving adherence matters, such as court battles for approved trust deeds, eight-step processes through which a claim had to proceed through and the huge logistical and organisational cross-border infrastructure.

“Since the settlement agreement was reached between the claimants’ attorneys and the six mining companies in 2018, the trust recognises the impatience expressed by many claimants about the time it has taken for this point to have arrived.

“We deeply appreciate the understanding so many mineworkers have demonstrated and can only commit to working tirelessly to address concerns while we resolutely move forward.”

There will, however, be some claimants who experienced unsuccessful applications as the trust benefitted only 82 gold mines part of the six mining companies, while others’ medical records were deemed “non-compensable”.

“Any claimant whose claim has been unsuccessful is entitled to ask for a review of the finding by either the medical reviewing authority or the certification reviewing authority, depending on the grounds provided for the unsuccessful finding.”

Reviewing structures will be fully established soon, he said.