The long-awaited hearing in which 10 former Anglo miners with silicosis and silico-tuberculosis are seeking compensation began on Friday with an application to compel Anglo American to provide more details of its defence. The Legal Resources Centre, Legal Aid SA and London-based Leigh Day have been involved in the groundbreaking class action suit since 2004. The two sides agreed last year to go to arbitration...Peter Hodes SC, for the miners, told the arbitration panel...that the miners have had regard to the plea by Anglo American and were asking for more particulars. Anglo American does not believe it is liable for the silicosis claims by former gold mine workers and has denied liability. Mr Hodes said the consequences of liability for Anglo American could be very severe and there could be a possible incentive for Anglo to hold its cards close to its chest.