Corporate governance   Sustainable development   Socio-economic   development   Stakeholder engagement   Safety, health and   environment   Climate Change   Social   Training and development   HIV/Aids   Employment equity   Supply chain and tenders   Risk management
Exxaro Coal assets Arnot Grootegeluk Leeuwpan Matla New Clydesdale North Block Complex Tshikondeni Exxaro Coal growth Exxaro Coal contacts
Exxaro Sands assets Australia Sands KZN Sands Toliara Sands Project Exxaro Sands growth Exxaro Sands contacts
Base Metals and Industrial Minerals assets AlloyStream™ Chifeng FerroAlloys Glen Douglas Rosh Pinah Zincor Base Metals and Industrial Minerals growth Exxaro Base Metals and Industrial Minerals contacts
Financial calendar
Exxaro listing Keep me informed
Safety, health and environment
Annual report archive
    
exxaro banner
You are here:   Home » Sustainability » HIV/Aids

HIV/Aids


The main objectives of Exxaro's HIV/Aids strategy at business unit and corporate level are to:
  • Prevent more people from becoming infected with HIV/Aids
  • Extend the lives of those infected for as long as possible to the benefit of the company
    and society at large
  • Ensure the impact of HIV/Aids on the company is managed to enable Exxaro to grow and contribute to South Africa's developing economy.

Acknowledged as one of the most proactive strategies in South Africa, Exxaro's HIV/Aids programme will be an important element in the integration of its own operations with those of Eyesizwe. Stakeholders will be informed of progress on the Exxaro internet site.

Measurement

Earlier financial impact analyses estimated the effect of HIV/Aids on the entire business by using Exxaro's risk management matrix. These analyses showed that significant savings could be realised through a prevention and treatment programme. As Exxaro is underexposed relative to the mining industry, the impact at this stage is relatively low and expected to remain static while antiretroviral treatment is distributed to affected groups.

HIV/Aids management

Exxaro has allocated specific resources aimed at minimising the impact of HIV/Aids on its workforce. The programme includes:
  • Confidential testing and voluntary counselling
  • Access to a 24-hour helpline for information
  • Prophylactic treatment for employees who suspect they may have been exposed to HIV/Aids
  • Information for HIV/Aids patients on remaining healthy for as long as possible
  • Access to antiretroviral medication
  • Fair treatment and no discrimination
  • Peer educators at business units to inform and educate colleagues.
     
 

During 2007, 1 889 individuals in the group were trained at awareness sessions. Of these, 1 784 people participated in voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and the 145 individuals who tested positive were enrolled on the disease management programme.

The cumulative number of individuals tested through the VCT programme since inception is 3 542 or 30% of our employees. Of these, 498 are on the disease management programme. Figure E shows the number of people on ART and those who have not yet started treatment as well as those who have left the programme due to retirement, incapacitation or death.

During 2008, the focus will be to:

  • Encourage employees who have never tested for HIV to test; and those who have already tested to continue participating in VCT.
  • Focus on employee knowledge of HIV/Aids and destigmatisation.

Community programme

Two years ago, Exxaro commissioned an independent study on the status of HIV/Aids programmes and initiatives in one of its communities in Limpopo. The intention of the pilot was to strengthen and extend the group's HIV/Aids approach to host communities, with the aim to develop a strategy focused on several key interventions:
  • Conducting HIV/Aids prevention programmes in and around the mining community
  • Conducting voluntary counselling and testing projects
  • HIV/Aids awareness and education programmes
  • Initiating comprehensive community home-based care programmes for families whose members are already infected
  • Initiating income-generating projects for indigent communities around Exxaro mines.

CONTACT
Dr Busi Madolo
Tel: +27 12 307 4598
busi.madolo@exxaro.com

Return to top Return to top