About the Book
This book reveals how the South African mining industry, abetted by a minority state, hid a pandemic of silicosis for almost a century, and allowed workers infected with tuberculosis to spread the potentially fatal disease to rural communities in South Africa and labour-sending states.
The first crisis of 1896-1912 focused on the minority white workers and resulted in the industry investing heavily in reducing dust levels. The second began in 2000 with mounting scientific evidence that the disease rate among black migrant miners is more than a hundred times higher than officially acknowledged. This has resulted in class actions against the operating companies.
About the Author
John McCulloch is Professor of History at RMIT University and author of Abestos Blues.
