The mining community in South Africa is suffering from the high number of people with Aids working in the industry.

According to Health Monitor's chief executive, Izak Fourie, large platinum producers such as Angloplats and Impala are set to lose as much as 2.9 per cent of their payrolls this year because of the cost of looking after workers and their families who are suffering from Aids.

The epidemic is continuing to grow in South Africa, resulting in more money being spent by employers on everything from hospital treatment to training up replacements for those suffering with or killed by the virus.

Speaking at the London Bullion Market Association conference in Johannesburg, Mr Fourie also stated that there would be a loss in production caused by the sick workers, who are not able to work as hard as healthy employees.

The big platinum producers are likely to lose around R21.9 million this year to Aids, through reduced production and increased training and treatment costs, Mr Fourie added.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd