Rio Tinto | Minerals and Metals for the world

HIV/AIDS: a network of support
Ralph Mills reports on the Group's initiatives in southern Africa.

The vegetable plots may not at first glance appear revolutionary, merely the leaves of cow peas or maize rustling in the warm breath of South Africa's northern Limpopo Province. And the young women emerging, blinking, from the darkness of a shebeen might also not normally attract a second glance. But both are part of a fierce battle against HIV/AIDS.

The vitamins and minerals provided by the fresh vegetables, the condoms and advice handed out by the volunteers in the shebeen, are life savers.

Close by is the Kruger National Park, a place of spectacular and breathtaking beauty. Ecotourists, intent on spotting wildlife amongst the baobab trees, hardly register the communities beyond the edge of the park. But HIV stalks this thin soiled land, as it does much of the African continent, its relentless spread encouraged by lack of awareness and resources, by fear and cultural beliefs.

The contrast is jolting. Just outside the National Park, hippopotomi graze next to the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) copper smelter, and monkeys crawl through its steelwork. Not far away is the huge pit, one of the biggest in Africa, that, in following a volcanic pipe rich in minerals down into the earth, has, since 1964, devoured a kop (a low hill) and created a community. And, nowadays, wherever there is a community, there is, almost without exception, HIV.

But in Phalaborwa and its hinterland community, a network of help is available. PMC has long cared for the health of its workers in its on site clinic. It encourages its workers to declare their HIV status - and has employees with HIV who have led stable and normal lives for over a decade.



HIV/AIDS: a network of support Ralph Mills reports on the Group's initiatives in southern Africa. The vegetable plots may not at first glance appear revolutionary, merely the leaves of cow peas or maize rustling in the warm breath of South Africa's northern Limpopo Province. And the young women emerging, blinking, from the darkness of a shebeen might also not normally attract a second glance. But both are part of a fierce battle against HIV/AIDS. The vitamins and minerals provided by the fresh vegetables, the condoms and advice handed out by the volunteers in the shebeen, are life savers. Close by is the Kruger National Park, a place of spectacular and breathtaking beauty. Ecotourists, intent on spotting wildlife amongst the baobab trees, hardly register the communities beyond the edge of the park. But HIV stalks this thin soiled land, as it does much of the African continent, its relentless spread encouraged by lack of awareness and resources, by fear and cultural beliefs. The contrast is jolting. Just outside the National Park, hippopotomi graze next to the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) copper smelter, and monkeys crawl through its steelwork. Not far away is the huge pit, one of the biggest in Africa, that, in following a volcanic pipe rich in minerals down into the earth, has, since 1964, devoured a kop (a low hill) and created a community. And, nowadays, wherever there is a community, there is, almost without exception, HIV. But in Phalaborwa and its hinterland community, a network of help is available. PMC has long cared for the health of its workers in its on site clinic. It encourages its workers to declare their HIV status - and has employees with HIV who have led stable and normal lives for over a decade.
PAGE 1 OF 5

Review is published by Rio Tinto, 6 St James' Square, London SW1Y 4LD, England Telephone +44 (0)20 7930 2399 Editor: Cherry DeGeer