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 the International SOS to reduce the incidence of malaria at mine sites in Indonesia and Ghana. The malaria-management programs include mosquito eradication strategies, personal protection, behavior modifications measures, and prompt diagnosis and treatment.
At our Batu Hijau operation in Indonesia, we reduced the incidence of malaria in the community from 80 percent in 1998 to an all-time low of less than 1 percent in 2003. Today, incidence remains less than 2 percent.
