An important aspect of OZ Minerals’ contribution to community development is assisting local communities to address health issues and improve safety awareness. In many of the locations in which we operate community health standards are poor and access to medical services is limited. Understanding of workplace and general safety practices also varies between locations. Improving basic health and increasing safety awareness assists local communities to take advantage of education and employment opportunities and develop competitive local businesses.

We recognise that one of the most effective ways to ensure knowledge and practices are transferred to our local communities is through our employees. In addition to workplace safety communications and initiatives, specific community health and safety issues are addressed through employee inductions, and targeted presentations and events.

During development of the Martabe project, increasing awareness and prevention of malaria has been a priority, with the disease endemic to the project area. A regular and thorough fogging program, coupled with site inspections and education programs was developed and implemented during 2008. The initiative has resulted in a significant drop in the number of reported malaria cases at Martabe, from 12 in 2007 to 5 in 2008.

At our Sepon operation, improvements in maternal and child health are an ongoing area of focus for research and investment initiatives of the Social Mitigation Group. During 2008 this included commissioning a review of maternal child health status by the Burnett Institute and development and implementation of the mother and child health and education program. The program aims to build capacity of local medical staff, improve child nutrition and reduce maternal mortality in villages in the area surrounding the operation.

In August 2008, Sepon management and employees participated in fun run from Savannakhet to the mine site. The ‘Running for Awareness’ event was designed to raise community road safety awareness along the regions main transport route and in the villages surrounding the Sepon operation. The event was well received by local communities and consideration is being given to conducting it annually.

OZ Minerals has lead-in-blood monitoring programs in place at our Century, Golden Grove and Rosebery operations, as each of these operations mine lead ore and produce lead concentrate. Monitoring programs are extended to local communities where there is a risk of potential exposure or where an incident involving potential exposure has occurred.

At Rosebery, a voluntary community blood testing program has been conducted by the Government since 1992. The mean lead-in-blood concentrations have been steadily reducing and are within acceptable guidelines.

In August 2007, a spillage of lead concentrate occurred from the processing operations adjacent to the Rosebery township, resulting in lead concentrate being washed onto a residential property in a nearby street. The company immediately arranged industrial cleaning of the property and relocation of the family until this was complete. Blood tests indicated elevated levels in some family members, leading to further review of sources of lead and additional clean-up of the property. The family were relocated back to their property in August 2008. Blood testing has continued and shown progressively decreasing levels.

This incident led to a wider review of potential sources of contamination in the Rosebery community, together with a new voluntary testing program and several public meetings to keep the community fully informed. The testing results are provided to the individuals on a confidential basis, with OZ Minerals being advised of the collective blood lead levels detected. The aggregate results to date are within acceptable limits.

A number of our operations have management programs in place for non-occupational diseases that may affect our personnel at some locations.

At Sepon mine in Laos, there is a comprehensive awareness program in place for HIV/AIDS, which is also extended into the local communities.

Our Martabe operation has developed a management plan for avian influenza that includes education and health checks. OZ Minerals personnel also conduct health-related education sessions once per month in local villages.

Our exploration teams’ plans include programs for managing gastroenteritis, malaria and dengue fever.

At the Century port facility in Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, community lead-in-blood monitoring is offered annually to the community. 2008 was the second year this monitoring was undertaken with all results within acceptable limits.