JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Anglo American (>> Anglo American plc) and AngloGold Ashanti (>> AngloGold Ashanti Limited) have reached a $30 million settlement with 4,400 gold miners who contracted the fatal lung disease silicosis while working underground, the companies and lawyers said on Friday.

A disease which causes shortness of breath, a persistent cough and chest pains, silicosis is caused by inhaling silica dust from gold bearing rocks. Lawsuits filed against the industry over the issue have alleged miners were provided with insufficient protection to prevent the illness.

(Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by James Macharia)

Stocks treated in this article : AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Anglo American plc