Anglo American PLC (LSE:AAL) has welcomed a decision by the High Court of South Africa to dismiss a claim against it for lead pollution in Zambia.
Law firms Leigh Day and Mbuyisa Moleele brought the action against the mining giant on behalf of residents of the Zambian town of Kabwe.
In dismissing the claim, the court recognised multiple legal and factual flaws and deemed that it was not in the interests of justice for the class action to proceed.
Richard Price, Anglo American's Legal & Corporate Affairs director, commented: "This claim was entirely misconceived from the outset, both legally and factually.
“As we have stated throughout, Anglo American has every sympathy for the situation in Kabwe, but we are not responsible for it.
“We welcome the clarity and force of the court's decision to dismiss this claim as untenable."
The court ruled that the applicants must also pay Anglo American's costs.