Anglo American PLC - London-based mining company - Says High Court of South Africa on Friday granted claimants the right to appeal against its prior judgement in favour of Anglo American South Africa Ltd. Judgement in mid-December dismissed what the company calls a "misconceived" class action certification application by law firms on behalf of residents of Kabwe, Zambia. According to Human Rights Watch, zinc and lead mined at Kabwe from 1904 to 1994 produced extremely high toxic lead levels which continue to affect the health of local residents.

Anglo American says the grant of right to appeal "does not undermine the High Court decision...in December", and says that dismissal "clearly [highlighted] the claim's multiple legal and factual flaws and [deemed] it not in the interest of justice for the class action to proceed". It reiterates that "it has every sympathy for the situation in Kabwe, but is not responsible for it", and says it "will oppose any appeal that may follow".

Current London stock price: 2,160.00 pence, down 0.9% on Monday morning

12-month change: down 14%

Current Johannesburg stock price: ZAR510.46, down 1.8%

12-month change: down 10%

By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter

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