HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other community health issues

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

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a major area of concern to the Company, employees and communities in both South Africa and Tanzania.

Managing HIV/AIDS

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

Awareness campaigns start during the induction process (in which employees participate on at least 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, 195 employees underwent VCT, resulting in 13 new registrations onto the Chronic Disease Management Programme, six of whom have been placed on an ART regimen. In total, 15 employees are now on ART through this company-managed programme although it is possible (and indeed 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. Dependents are assessed, however, and referred to the local government clinics for further intervention and treatment. ART is provided by the state health facilities in South Africa.

The HIV/AIDS management programme at Williamson was introduced by De Beers in February 2006 to service the Williamson mine’s employees and their families, residents of Mwadui and other surrounding villages. There are currently 276 people registered at the Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC). At the end of June 2009, 106 people were receiving ART, while more than 600 people had volunteered for HIV-testing. A total of 758 tests were undertaken at the Williamson mine in the 2009 financial year.

Petra supports HIV-related education, care and support projects in the Company’s mining communities through its corporate social investment (CSI) programme.

Malaria

The single largest cause of morbidity in the Kishapu district where the Williamson mine is located is malaria and 50% 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 both diagnostic services and treatment as well as prophylaxis, and the mine distributes mosquito nets to employees and local communities. In the 2009 financial year, 200 nets were distributed (2,000 nets in 2008). An important part of the programme is prevention - providing netting in front of house windows, for example, and destroying mosquito breeding habitats.

Incidence levels in 2009

Malaria	Under 5 years of age	Above 5 years of age
Outpatients	204	754
Admitted	184	303

Water-borne diseases

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 necessitate 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 2009 was 1,489,522 m³.

Water borne diseases reported in 2009

	Under 5 years of age	Above 5 years of age
Dysentery (diarrhoea) cases	15	67
Typhoid cases	0	5

In this section:

1. Health and safety
2. HIV/AIDS and malaria
3. Employment and human rights
4. Community
5. Case studies