The countrywide programme will kick off in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal before moving to other provinces.
In May 2018, a settlement agreement was concluded between a number of mining companies and the class action representatives of miners who contracted TB or silicosis. The agreement made provision for the establishment of the Tshiamiso Trust in terms of which the claims of eligible mineworkers and the dependants of deceased mineworkers arising from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis will be paid.
The department said on Sunday claimants should bring relevant documents including a valid ID, service and medical records and the deceased mineworker’s death certificate or autopsy report, if available. “The compensation amount will depend on a number of factors including the severity of the permanent respiratory impairment suffered by the mineworkers and their employment history at qualifying and non-qualifying mines,” the department said.