HIV/AIDS

A number of Xstrata's operations are in locations where there is a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. In South Africa, where we employ over 23,000 employees and contractors, up to one in five adults is HIVpositive. In Tanzania, where we operate a nickel exploration project, malaria continues to be the main health risk.

Our strategy to address HIV/AIDS in the workplace commenced in 2004, based on a cost-benefit assessment of the impact of doing nothing compared to the cost of a fully funded intervention, prevention and treatment programme. This analysis clearly demonstrated the business case for rapid intervention to halt and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS amongst our workforce.

Our approach includes tackling the contributing factors to the spread of HIV and AIDS, including eradicating single sex hostels for mineworkers, working with the broader community and government to implement door-to-door outreach programmes and improve access to HIV testing and treatment facilities and investing in education and prevention campaigns targeted at young people and remote areas.

Voluntary HIV testing and counselling programmes are in place at all Xstrata's operations in southern Africa. Every employee and contractor is given time off from their shift to participate in annual health assessments which include voluntary counselling and testing with the aim of empowering people to protect their health. Healthcare is provided by an independent organisation and personal information is treated confidentially and not shared with Xstrata.

Every HIV positive employee and their dependants and contractors are able to access free care and treatment through easily available channels, if required.

These initiatives are complemented by education and awareness-raising programmes and are undertaken in close partnership with unions and employees' families and partners. Training and education programmes cover a broad range of health issues in addition to HIV and AIDS.

We also facilitate access for any community member to testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS in Mpumalanga province, in a public private partnership with government, NGOs, health providers, unions, industry peers and other companies operating in the region - see Public Health.