Press Release Archive - 2007

Dr Thomas van Every with CEO Cynthia Carroll and Chairman Sir Mark Moody-Stuart launching the free, voluntary HIV and AIDS testing programme at Anglo American's corporate office in London.

Launching a new programme of free HIV testing and counselling for all staff in their London headquarters on Monday 3 December, Board members, including Chairman Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, led by example by being among the first to be tested. Today's step is a very personal one for the company's Board and they hope that their example will encourage even more staff to follow their lead. Anglo American believes it is the first employer to undertake such a programme in the UK.

In 2002, Anglo American was the first employer in Africa to make anti-retroviral treatment available to employees and now operates the world's largest HIV/AIDS workplace voluntary counselling, testing and treatment programmes.

Anglo American's operations in China, Brazil, Namibia, South Africa and the United Kingdom are marking World AIDS Day by carrying our awareness raising initiatives. Anglo American staff in London today accessed free information and guidance through a range of activities including an AIDS Awareness Showcase and a lunchtime seminar where they heard a first hand account of life with HIV in the UK. They also have access to free confidential testing and counselling at their workplace and free condoms will be distributed throughout all staff washrooms.

Anglo American Chairman, Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, who is also the Chairman of the Global Business Coalition for HIV & AIDS, said “One of the biggest challenges in the fight against HIV and AIDS today is ignorance. At Anglo American we want to ensure our staff have access to information, counselling, testing and appropriate health care so that they may make their own informed decisions and take their own lead in beating this condition.”

Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American, has written a personal letter to all staff inviting them to participate in this unique programme.

Cynthia Carroll said “I am proud that our Board Directors are taking a lead in getting tested. We want to encourage our employees to know their HIV status. We cannot afford to be complacent about the threat of the AIDS pandemic. In the UK, for example, there has been a worrying increase in the number of infections and business has a crucial part to play in tackling the disease. Our HIV policy is based upon a human rights framework of non-discrimination, confidentiality and access to treatment.”

Counselling and testing will be available to staff on an ongoing basis following the launch event.

Read more about Anglo American's fight against HIV and AIDS 

Notes to Editors:

Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining and natural resource groups. Together with its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business and a stake in AngloGold Ashanti. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)

• Anglo American has the largest workplace HIV testing and treatment programme in the world, with 3,350 HIV positive employees in Southern Africa on anti-retroviral drugs provided by the company.
• Anglo American was the first major employer (in 2002) in South Africa to provide free anti-retroviral drugs to its employees – a lead which other companies have increasingly followed.
• Anglo American has a global HIV policy based on a human rights framework involving zero tolerance of discrimination, the elimination of stigma, gender equality and assurance of confidentiality.
• Anglo American believes that it is important for individuals to know their HIV status so that they can make informed choices and have access to treatment in good time where this is needed. A key plank of the company's HIV programmes is the encouragement of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). Amongst employees in South Africa, the rate of participation in VCT (which is offered annually) has risen from less than 10% in 2003 to an anticipated 70%+ this year, suggesting an increased willingness to confront the disease, a reduction in stigma and increasing confidence in the system. At its best performing mines the rate exceeds 85%.
• The Group has instituted a health economics study of its HIV programmes in South Africa – which cost around $10 million a year. The study has shown that over a period of time the treatment programmes are becoming self-financing through reduced absenteeism, lower treatment costs for other opportunistic infections and savings in lost skills. 95% of those on treatment are able to work normally and can continue to support their families for many years.
• Around 9,000 HIV+ employees in Southern Africa are on health monitoring and disease management programmes. Those in the later stages of infection go on to anti-retroviral drugs.
• Anglo American is involved in a large number of community HIV/AIDS prevention, education, outreach and treatment programmes in partnership with local government, community groups, trade unions and private health providers. Focus areas include extending access to HIV testing and treatment, youth, sexual and reproductive health, capacity building and the position of young women and girls.
• Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of Anglo American plc, is also Chairman or the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. Anglo American is particularly closely involved with supporting the GBC's work in South Africa and China.
• Anglo American seeks to heighten awareness of HIV/AIDS in the countries where it operates. In a number of countries where it does not have the health infrastructure to deliver testing and treatment programmes within the workplace it extends employees' private health cover to include anti-retroviral therapy.
• On World AIDS Day, Anglo American operations from China to Brazil undertook awareness raising initiatives.