Barrick recognizes that the global HIV/AIDS epidemic poses a serious threat to the health of our employees, their families and the communities surrounding our mining operations. The company implements a range of multi-faceted HIV/AIDS programs tailored to address local needs and priorities. These programs are aimed at both our employees and the local community and encompass prevention, treatment, counseling and care. Barrick is equally committed to minimizing the negative social, economic and human rights impacts of HIV/AIDS on its employees. Our aim is to create a supportive working environment that is free from discrimination, where employees treat each other with respect and dignity. Inherent in this goal is the right to equality of employment, promotion, training, access to benefits and confidentiality. Most recently, to mark World AIDS Day 2008, Barrick signed a public pledge to fight HIV discrimination and stigma in the workplace, put forward by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Barrick’s strategic approach

Barrick partners with community-based organizations and international NGOs, such as the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF).
The company supports and complements local efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and recognizes the need for sustainable health care services.
Barrick encourages all employees to learn their HIV status by undergoing voluntary, confidential HIV counseling and testing. The company offers this service at all of its operations where HIV is a significant concern.
Barrick recognizes the importance of health education as a first step in halting the spread of HIV infection. The company invests in community education programs to raise awareness and promote healthy behaviour.

Local programs in high risk countries

Tanzania


	The clinic was officially opened in November, 2006 by Dr. Donnan Mmbando, Director of Policy and Planning, Tanzanian Commission for AIDS.

In Tanzania, Barrick has a well established HIV/AIDS program in place. Since 1999, the company has worked with AMREF, one of the world’s leading African health NGOs, to combat HIV/AIDS at our North Mara mine and in the surrounding communities. At AMREF’s Voluntary Counseling and Training (VCT) Center, confidential HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services are provided to our employees and the larger community. Thanks to AMREF’s health education efforts, over 33,000 voluntary HIV/AIDS tests have been administered since the program began. In addition to peer education at the mine, AMREF programs include focused interventions targeted at high risk women, including commercial sex workers and women working in bars.

Barrick also works with Tanzania’s Ministry of Health and organizations such as IMA World Health to make treatment more accessible in the communities surrounding North Mara. In a recent development, HIV-positive patients who require antiretroviral therapy (ART) can now be referred to the nearby Nyamongo hospital, where an outreach team from Tarime district hospital provides these services to patients on a weekly basis. This is a significant development for those who live in the Mara region and would have otherwise been required to travel to other districts for treatment.

At Barrick’s Bulyanhulu mine, the company opened a new wing specializing in treating HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day 2006. The mine clinic offers services to both employees and the local community. The company covers the cost of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for employees living with HIV/AIDS at the mine site.

South Africa


	An employee lights a candle to remember those who have died of HIV/AIDS at an awareness event organized by Barrick.

At Barrick’s Sedibelo platinum project, the company has partnered with the local Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Tribe to establish the Tirisano Mmogo Trust. The Trust oversees community development activities, including HIV/AIDS care, counseling, education and prevention. Currently, the Trust provides home-based care kits for people living with HIV/AIDS and trains caregivers.

This year Barrick will establish partnerships with nearby mines and local governments to ensure that neighboring villages also receive HIV/AIDS support and assistance. To date, the Trust has worked with 19 HIV/AIDS homebased care groups and has provided kits and uniforms for over 300 caregivers.

Papua New Guinea


	Barrick employees attend one of many HIV/AIDS awareness events.

Barrick has established a comprehensive health program to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, serving employees and local communities in Papua New Guinea. At the Porgera mine medical centre, staff work with peer health educators to deliver programs in cooperation with local health authorities, the National AIDS Council and Paiam Hospital. The company offers voluntary counseling and testing at the mine site, while teams of peer health educators promote the importance of testing and HIV prevention.

In 2007 Porgera and Kainantu mines signed a three-year agreement with the Asian Development Bank and the PNG Department of Health to enhance HIV/AIDS prevention in the areas where Barrick operates throughout PNG. To date, this partnership has upgraded HIV counseling and testing facilities at two health centers and provided training to medical staff from the Porgera Mine Medical Centre and Porgera hospital. In July 2008, the Porgera hospital became an accredited ART center, serving the local community and the mine.

At Kainantu mine, the Barrick team is collaborating with government, NGOs and community stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Kainantu District. As a result of the company's partnership with the Asian Development Bank, training for over 80 health care workers in all phases of HIV/AIDS care and management has recently been completed. Barrick is also working with our partners to renovate six additional health facilities in the Porgera area and 13 health facilities in Kainantu District. In the future, Barrick, the Asian Development Bank and the Department of Health plan to expand this public-private partnership to include other areas of PNG, where Barrick has exploration programs.

Barrick is a member of the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which harnesses the power of the global business community to fight these diseases worldwide.

Barrick's strategy in the fight against malaria

Barrick recognizes the human toll that malaria takes on people living in the communities and countries in which we operate. Our employees are drawn from these communities and we have a direct stake in their health and well-being. Barrick’s objective is to eliminate malaria transmission and minimize the prevalence of this disease. In countries like Tanzania where malaria poses a serious health risk, Barrick has comprehensive malaria control programs in place, both at the mine site and extending into the surrounding communities.

Our programs involve:

Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, by clearing bushes and grass around mine sites and in nearby communities. This also involves seasonal fogging and spraying and treating water in catchments with parricides.
Providing insecticide-treated bed nets to our employees and their families.
Taking blood samples from both employees and community members to monitor and track changes in prevalence and other information that will inform our ongoing programs.
Providing access to rapid diagnosis and quality treatment for people who become infected.
Educating people about behaviours that will protect them from malaria and providing other tools, information and resources.
Sensitizing employees about the importance of malaria control and prevention, as well as the signs and symptoms of the disease and benefits of seeking early treatment.

Malaria is a difficult health risk to combat, however Barrick’s malaria control programs involve many partners in this critical effort. By working with local and district government health services, private sector experts and NGOs - including the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF) – we are able to meet this challenge and build healthier communities.

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