Ministers endorse push for zero TB deaths among Southern African miners

Late last month, Ministers of Health and Labour from the 15 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries endorsed a declaration on tuberculosis (TB) in the mining sector that is designed to drive a regional response to the issue.

United stance aimed at delivering sustainable blow to TB

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the South African mining industry is three times more than that among the rest of the public. This is why it is essential for government, organised labour, mining companies and local communities to work...

Lung-diseased gold miners start UK legal action against Anglo

London law firm Leigh Day & Co has begun proceedings in the London High Court against Anglo American South Africa, as the Johannesburg-registered wholly owned subsidiary of London-based Anglo American plc. Lawyer Richard Meeran, who addressed a...

Supplier touts ultraviolet germicidal irradiation’s potency against TB

Mining houses need to take a proactive approach in managing the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection in workers, particularly in high-risk areas, such as living quarters and transport vehicles, in a bid to reduce rates of morbidity and fatalities...

Lawyers see further litigation regarding occupational diseases unless dust levels in mines decline

Legal representatives for the plaintiffs in litigation involving miners who were employed by Anglo American South Africa, part of the Anglo American group, and the company itself say if dust levels in South African gold mines are not rectified...

Diversified miner reports growth of CSI projects

Diversified mining giant Anglo American’s Chairman’s Fund, a corporate social investment (CSI) arm of the company, reports that the Aurum Institute for Health Research has secured major international Aids research grants and that the...

Russian mining group head in discussions with South African President

The head of Russia’s largest diversified mining and metals company, OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (Norilsk), Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, met with South African President Jacob Zuma in South Africa last week. According to the company, Strzhalkovsky, who...

Mining industry fuelling Africa’s TB epidemic – report

A new study suggested that mining for gold, diamonds, and precious minerals mining in sub-Saharan Africa could be driving the entire continent’s tuberculosis epidemic.

Silicosis-stricken ex-miners blame Anglo for their condition, take mining giant to court

South Africa’s gold-mining industry has employed up to half-a-million workers at any time over the past hundred-plus years of mining, and claims have been doing the rounds that thousands of mineworkers have contracted lung diseases because...

Mining firms fight diseases 
facing industry

Africa has been hit harder by the HIV/Aids virus than any other region of the world. As increasing numbers of people who acquired HIV over the past years become ill, mining companies operating in the region are tackling the problem in several...

Local coal-miner wins global recognition for its HIV/Aids programme

South African coal-mining major Anglo Coal has been recognised by the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria for its pioneering workplace programme focused on tackling HIV and Aids in South Africa.

HIV/Aids still a major 
challenge in SA mining

A key challenge in the area of health within the context of the South African mining industry remains the issue of HIV/Aids, says South Africa’s Chamber of Mines health advisor Dr Thuthula Balfour-Kaipa.