Susan Shabangu, highly criticized for her handling of a strike in the platinum sector, was booted out from a cabinet that now includes South Africa's first black minister and a first openly gay official.
The discovery has already pushed British authorities to start mulling plans to ease rules on accessing shale oil and gas, including drilling without landowners' permission.
The lawsuit alleges Barrick knew or should have known that it would have to overcome significant obstacles with its $8.5bn Pascua-Lamas gold-silver project.