Occupational Health and Hygiene (OH&H) refers to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards created by mining activities. Our goal is to ensure employees finish their careers in mining without experiencing adverse health effects, such as hearing loss or lung disease.

To accomplish this, we have implemented a comprehensive OH&H management system following the most current industry practice consistent with the American Industrial Hygiene Association recommendations. It includes standards, guidelines, a data management system and a five-year business plan to measure our implementation progress.

We manage occupational health by first identifying workplace hazards and then conducting risk assessments to determine their potential severity. We then develop monitoring plans and collect additional data to increase understanding of potential health issues. We work to reduce these exposures by:

• Eliminating the substance or substituting a less hazardous substance in its place.
• Designing engineering controls, such as ventilation or isolation, to reduce exposures to acceptable levels.
• Developing procedures for employees to follow that reduce exposures.
• Distributing Personal Protective Equipment such as respirators or ear plugs that protect employees from the hazard.
• Conducting medical surveillance and analyzing medical surveillance data to detect trends and feedback information gathered into the exposure risk assessment and control programs.

In 2007, Newmont implemented a comprehensive database that assists OH&H professionals with analyzing exposure data. This system has enhanced our ability to identify risks and share best practices, develop better mitigation plans and identify trends (occupational health diseases typically have a long latency period that may extend beyond the life of the mine and are thus reactive indicators as opposed to hazard exposure indicators, which are more proactive). Our goal is to identify, evaluate and control health risks before they cause illness.

At Newmont, we strive to protect the health and well-being of employees by protecting them from workplace hazards and by reinforcing the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle. This helps improve employee morale, increase productivity and reduce health care costs.

The mining lifecycle for a project typically runs into decades. Consequently, as the mine matures, so does the workforce. The aging mine workforce results in a surge in health related issues such as increased musculoskeletal conditions, and lifestyle diseases brought about by lack of exercise, aging and poor nutrition. This has an impact on productivity and medical costs. Newmont recognizes these issues and as part of a corporate health review in 2010, is working to develop programs to improve employee health and wellness.

For example, in Nevada, Newmont has a structured wellness program that provides incentives for employees to attend wellness checks, in addition to education about nutrition and exercise. Compliance is tracked and attendance rewarded. The increasing employee participation and reduction in weight, cholesterol and other parameters in the employees that participate is testament to the program's success. In addition, many of the regions provide employee assistance programs that support employees with, for instance, unhealthy levels of stress.

HIV and AIDS continue to have a profound impact on the economies of the world, especially in developing countries, threatening both our work force and the communities in which we operate. Our global HIV/AIDS policy reflects the principles of the International Labour Organization and the World of Work Code of Practice. The standard addresses the three key elements of our HIV/AIDS strategy: prevention, non-discrimination and support.

A good example of Newmont's approach to HIV/AIDS is at our operations in Ghana.

The program delivers a comprehensive approach for prevention and care through the distribution of condoms, behavior change communication activities to increase knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV transmission and prevention), and also through helping workers and contractors assess their personal risk of HIV infection, and finally to reduce stigma.

The main components of the HIV/AIDS program are:

• Behavior Change Communication for prevention
• Peer education
• Condom promotion and distribution
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) counseling and management
• Safe working environment
• Promotion and referrals for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT)
• Treatment and support for workers with HIV

For more on this program, including a 2010 overview, please visit our Planning and Monitoring page.

Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes that is prevalent in areas of Africa, Asia and South America. People with malaria often experience fever, chills and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. In some African countries, malaria is one of the leading causes of community illness and death, especially in young children and pregnant women.

Newmont partners with International SOS to reduce the incidence of malaria at mine sites in Indonesia and Ghana. Our integrated malaria-control programs include selective application of mosquito control interventions, personal protection and behavior modification measures, prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, and proper monitoring and evaluation. These programs benefit both the mine workforce and the local communities.

At our Batu Hijau operation in Indonesia, Newmont's mine-site and community programs have reduced the prevalence of malaria in community schoolchildren from 47 percent in 1999 (some villages had more than 70 percent) to an all-time low of less than 1 percent in 2003. In 2010, prevalence remained less than 2 percent. In addition, the malaria incidence rate in the mine workforce at the facility clinic dropped from 53 per 1000 employees in 1998 to less than 4 per 1000 employees in 2010.

In 2009, the program was extended into the community of Jereweh, and was primarily aimed at eradicating mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever. The interventions have also reduced malaria transmission. Only one child out of 1,857 surveyed in 2010 had malaria parasites in their blood. This indicates that the malaria transmission cycle has been effectively shut down.

We are now working aggressively to reduce malaria incidence in Ghana, where our Ahafo mine has implemented an integrated malaria-control program that includes mosquito larval control, adult mosquito control through residual spraying and bed-net distribution, and education. These programs are complemented by medical programs that include chemoprophylaxis for non-immune employees and dependents, proper diagnosis and effective treatment, and the issuing of emergency standby treatment packs to non-immune employees, their families and mine visitors. This is complemented by ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

Through these efforts, we have witnessed a 76 percent reduction in total malaria cases since 2006. Within the workforce there has been a reduction in malaria incidence from around 8 percent per month in 2006 to 1.6 percent in 2010.

In addition to these activities, our Malaria Control and Community Relations teams are active participants in World Malaria Day activities in the surrounding communities on April 25th of every year. Community outreach includes education and bed-net distribution to local communities. In addition, local government clinics are being upgraded to improve malaria diagnosis capability through the provision of equipment and training. This was rolled out to the Gyedu and Ntotroso clinic in 2009. Partnerships with local and international stakeholders are being developed to create sustainable health interventions.

In recognition of the success the Newmont Ghana Malaria and HIV/TB program, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria awarded it the 2010 award for best workplace program.




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