Supporting the global fight against HIV and TB

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, with the World Health Organization estimating a global TB incidence rate of 134 new cases per 100,000 population in 2023¹. The TB epidemic is directly linked to HIV, and Southern Africa has the highest number of HIV-associated TB cases in the world. In South Africa alone, approximately 13.5% of the population is living with HIV².

In response to these dual epidemics, South Africa is implementing an integrated National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS, TB and sexually transmitted infections, aligned with United Nations AIDS committee (UNAIDS) targets. As a member of the Minerals Council South Africa, we support these efforts through the Masoyise Health Program which aims to reduce TB incidence and new HIV infections within the South African mining industry.

Our HIV and TB program, which is embedded in our occupational health process at our operations in Southern Africa, promotes awareness, reduces stigma and supports employees through:

• Awareness and testing: We offer HIV and TB awareness information, counselling, testing and condom distribution;
• Medical surveillance: We include TB screening as part of medical surveillance programs;
• Preventative care: We provide preventative TB treatment for people living with HIV; and
• Collaboration: We improve stakeholder relationships between occupational health and other service providers to share information on HIV and AIDS program intakes, retention rates, enrolment trends over time, and clinical outcomes (e.g. reductions in morbidity and mortality).

At the height of the TB epidemic in the early 2000’s, incidence rates in the mining sector were almost seven times those of the general population³. By 2022, the Minerals Council of South Africa reported a TB incidence rate of 278 per 100,000 in South African mines – well below the national rate of 537 per 100,000⁽³⁾ – a testament to industry and health care partnerships driving meaningful progress.

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¹ World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report 2024.

² South Africa’s National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs 2023-2028, page 16 HIV Disease Burden, based on 2022 data.

³ Minerals Council of South Africa Media Statement titled ‘South Africa’s Mining Industry Tackles TB and has Sustainably Beaten Its 2024 Milestone Target 2024, dated 24 March 2024.