The number of mine workers who are HIV positive is not known with certainty but rates are estimated at about 30% in the gold mining industry in South Africa, says Minerals Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Figures for the platinum mining industry are estimated to be in the range of 20% to 24% while in the coal industry it is between 15% and 17%. In the diamond industry it is about eight to 11%, she estimated.
Replying to a question from New National Party MP Basil Douglas, the minister said: “Generally these estimates are based on actuarial assessments, voluntary counseling and testing initiatives as well as estimates from antenatal data from the Department of Health.”
She noted that from 1998 to 2000 a community study in the gold mining region of Carletonville — the Mothusimpilo study — organised by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research and the South African Institute of Medical Research — showed the prevalence of HIV to have increased from 28% to 30%.
She noted that 200 employees had participated.
Nqcuka noted that a tripartite mine health and safety summit of 1998 had recommended that a special committee be established to address the HIV/Aids
question in the mining industry. An HIV/Aids tripartite committee was established. This represented government, labour and business.
She noted that anti-retroviral therapy was provided to employees by “a number of mining houses”.
Wellness management programmes were also in place at some of the mining houses. – I-Net Bridge