Sustainable Development Report2010

• GRI Indicators
• Print
• Email

HIV/AIDS and malaria

In South Africa HIV/AIDS remains a significant community health issue, whereas in Tanzania malaria, HIV/AIDS and water-borne diseases are community health concerns. While these are not occupational illnesses, they have a significant impact on employee health and productivity and on the communities in which our operations are located. Petra plays a positive role in limiting their spread and offering appropriate treatment to employees and community members alike.

HIV/AIDS

A preventive HIV/AIDS awareness programme is in place at Koffiefontein, Helam, Star, Sedibeng and Kimberley Underground, while both Williamson and Cullinan have comprehensive programmes in place that include wellness and the provision of anti-retroviral treatment (ART).

Awareness campaigns start during the induction process (in which employees participate on an annual basis) and continue through various internal communication channels. Condom dispensers are placed strategically at the operations and employees are encouraged to use them for their benefit and that of their partners. Peer educators also form an important part of promoting awareness and are used effectively at all operations.

Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) was made available to employees at Cullinan and Williamson during the year.

At Cullinan, 74 employees underwent VCT, resulting in 17 new registrations onto the Chronic Disease Management Programme, seven of whom have been placed on an ART regimen. In total, 17 employees in the Group are now on ART through this company-managed programme although it is likely that other employees receive treatment from state and private facilities.

While the VCT programme is available to dependants, the ART programme is for employees only. Dependants and contractors are assessed, however, and referred to local government clinics for further intervention and treatment. ART is provided by the state health facilities in South Africa.

The HIV/AIDS awareness programme at Williamson was introduced in February 2006 to service the Williamson mine’s employees and their families, residents of Mwadui and other surrounding villages. There were two new registrations to the Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) after 57 employees underwent VCT in 2010. At the end of June 2010, 619 people were receiving ART, while approximately 480 people had volunteered for HIV testing.

Petra supports HIV-related education, care and support projects in the Company’s mining communities through its corporate social responsibility programmes.

Malaria

The single largest cause of morbidity in the Kishapu district where the Williamson mine is located is malaria and around 20% of all reported illnesses at the local hospital are malaria-related.

Williamson provides support to various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) engaged in the education and counselling of the contiguous communities to raise awareness of malaria. Williamson also provides facilities to combat the disease. The Mwadui hospital, owned and operated by the mine, offers diagnostic services and treatment (including prophylaxis), and the mine distributes mosquito nets to employees and local communities. In FY2010, 760 nets were distributed (200 nets in FY2009). An important part of the programme is prevention - providing netting in front of house windows, for example, and destroying mosquito breeding habitats.

Incidence levels

Malaria	Under 5 years of age		Above 5 years of age
	2010	2009	2010	2009
Outpatients	95	204	315	754
Admitted	50	184	131	303

Water-borne diseases

After malaria and HIV/AIDs, waterborne diseases such as dysentry and typhoid represent the third most significant community health issue in Tanzania. Williamson makes potable water available to its employees and their families as well as to the surrounding community. The quality of this potable water is ensured through monthly testing and sampling by an independent company.

The supply of water for both domestic and industry use at the Williamson mine is dependent on the surface water sources, such as the water dams. These include the Nhumbu, Songwa and New Alamasi dams, which supply water to the mine as well as to the Mwadui township. This water quantity is insufficient to sustain current mining levels and domestic demands, which necessitates water control measures, especially during the dry season. These water control measures include bans on watering of gardens and washing of cars using hoses. Process water is also recycled. The Williamson operation and the surrounding community is dependent on good rainfall for sufficient water supplies. Potable water consumption in 2010 was 1,489,522 m³.

Water borne diseases reported

	Under 5 years of age		Above 5 years of age
	2010	2009	2010	2009
Dysentery (diarrhoea) cases	4	15	27	67
Typhoid cases	0	0	3	5