London-based Rio Tinto has developed and implemented a global HIV-AIDS strategy in response to the social and economic issues related to the life-threatening disease.
About 40 million people worldwide are infected with the AIDS virus, according to the World Health Organization, and 28 million of those (or 70%) live in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus mining operations in southern Africa are faced with a rapidly increasing number of employees infected with AIDS. AngloGold, for example, estimates that up to 30% of its 44,000 South African workers have HIV-AIDS.
Rio Tinto has uranium interests in Namibia, and gold and nickel operations in Zimbabwe. In South Africa, the company has half-interests in the Palabora copper operation and Richards Bay Minerals, a titanium and iron producer.
The company says health care for its employees can be significantly improved in regions where HIV-AIDS is prevalent. To do so, it proposes improving access to antiretroviral drugs, which help sufferers cope with the disease.
Rio Tinto’s response to HIV-AIDS draws on the International Labour Organisation’s Code of Good Practice. Discrimination toward employees on the basis of real or perceived HIV status will not be tolerated, and the confidentiality of all information on the HIV status and condition of employees and community members is strictly upheld.
The HIV/AIDS strategy has four elements:
— prevention, awareness and education;
— voluntary counselling and testing;
— wellness and treatment; and
— monitoring and evaluation of services.
Prevention, awareness and education programs help protect employees and their communities from infection, while at the same time eradicating the stigma and misconceptions associated with the disease.
Rio says voluntary counselling and testing are essential. Employees who are HIV-negative will be counselled on how to protect themselves, whereas those who are HIV-positive will be enrolled in a wellness program that includes antiretroviral therapy.
The HIV-AIDS strategy will be monitored in all locations and evaluated regularly.
— The preceding is an edited version of a bulletin published by Rio Tinto.
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