Health

Silicosis and TB

As per the South African mining industry regulations for silica dust exposure, 95% of all personal silica dust samples taken must be below 0.05mg/m3 by 2024. By the end of 2018, 18% of the employee silica dust samples exceeded this level, compared with 24% in 2017. This was mainly attributed to the progress made in improving engineering controls, such as improved dust allaying and footwall treatment in high risk areas. Installation of automated footwall treatment and upgrading of internal tip dust suppression systems will further improve conditions in 2019.

During 2018, the number of silicosis cases submitted to the health authorities decreased to eight from 11 in 2017, while the silicosis rate per 1,000 employees increased to 1.72 from 1.71 in 2017 because of the reduced workforce. All employees diagnosed with silicosis were initiated on a six-month course of TB prophylaxis. However, as per the 2014 Mine Health Safety Council milestones, no South Deep employee who joined the mine after 2008 and had previously not been exposed to silica dust has contracted silicosis. Continued focus is being placed on the dust mitigation strategy.

Occupational diseases at South Deep (rate per 1,000 employees and contractors at year-end)

¹ Numbers are now presented per 1,000 employees and contractors. Comparatives have been restated
² Based on the number of cases submitted for compensation

Since 2014, Gold Fields, along with five other companies in South Africa, has been involved in negotiations with the legal representatives of former mineworkers suffering from Silicosis in the so-called "Silicosis class action case". In May 2018, the companies and legal representatives reached an historic settlement in this matter, whereby the gold companies will contribute over R5.2bn (US$400m) towards a settlement trust fund, which will be used to pay compensation to all former mineworkers who are confirmed to have contracted silicosis during their time working on the mines. In instances where these workers may have passed away, their dependants will receive a benefit. Gold Fields has provided an amount of US$32m (R390m) for its share of the settlement cost.

The settlement also provides for compensation for workers who have been diagnosed with certain severe forms of TB. In December 2018, the Johannesburg High Court initiated the process by which the settlement could eventually be made an order of court and subsequently implemented.

The mine recorded 15 CRTB cases in 2018, compared to 21 in 2017, and the CRTB rate improved to 3.23 per 1,000 employees in 2018 from 3.26 in 2017. Due to the mechanised nature of our operation, this rate is significantly better than the 5.45/1,000 recorded for the rest of the mining industry and 5.67/1000 for South Africa in 2017.

HIV/Aids

HIV/Aids management is integrated into Gold Fields' mainstream health services at South Deep. Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is offered to prospective and permanent employees, including contractors, by the occupational health practitioners during regular employee health assessments. This has the added benefit of directly addressing the interaction of HIV/Aids with related health issues such as TB.

Gold Fields is committed to lowering the HIV/Aids levels at South Deep, where the prevalence rate is 5.6% (percentage of the workforce living with HIV/Aids). There was an increase in the number of employees who tested positive for HIV/Aids in 2018, from 45 in 2017 to 79 in 2018. From 2014 to 2018, approximately 5,786 employees have been counselled and tested for HIV. A total of 326 employees are currently on the highly-active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) programme.

South Deep's integrated HIV/Aids and TB strategy directly addresses interactions between these diseases. It has four key pillars:

• Promotion: This includes regular publicity campaigns and condom distribution at all workplaces
• Prevention: VCT is provided to all mine employees and contractors on a confidential basis. In 2018, the mine's VCT participation rate was around 17% (2017: 29%)
• Treatment: Free HAART is provided to HIV-infected employees through onsite, medical doctor-staffed clinics. In 2018, 31 employees joined the HAART programme (2017: 36). This takes the total number of active participants to 326 (2017: 336), with 605 cumulatively enrolled since the HAART programme began in 2004. Employees' dependants can also receive HAART via the Company's medical aid schemes. We do not provide treatment to employees from contracting firms, which provide their own support
• Support: This includes doctor-based primary healthcare, psychological counselling and social services for all employees and contractors. South Deep also supports a number of community-based HIV/Aids projects

Malaria

South Deep conducts quarterly wellness and wellbeing campaigns, during which employees and community members are informed about chronic medical diseases, including malaria, and are made aware of the risks associated with the discontinuation of medical treatment. During 2018, 19 employees were tested for malaria, of whom 10 tested positive.

Noise

There were four new cases of NIHL at South Deep mine (2017: five). Personal noise samples above the regulated occupational exposure limit of 85 dB(A) improved from 1.8% in 2017 to 0.9% in 2018 – by 2024 no noise samples should be above that level. In line with the industry regulators' 2024 milestones, all noise emitting equipment should be below 107 dB(A) by then. Only 1.7% of South Deep's equipment was still above that level at year-end.

A survey indicated 87% compliance among employees in terms of wearing hearing protection devices in the working places. In response, South Deep has rolled out ear-moulded protection devices to all underground employees exposed to high noise levels. The mine is also working through the Minerals Council of South Africa to encourage equipment manufacturers to produce low noise emission equipment. During 2018, the mine's auxiliary fans were sound attenuated or retrofitted with silencers to ensure fan noise levels do not exceed 107dB(A).

DPM

Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is a critical health issue at underground mines in South Africa. Although the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for DPM has not yet been promulgated by the regulator, an industry-best practice limit of 0.16mg/m3 has been adopted in South Africa. South Deep has set a benchmark to have 95% of all personal samples measured below 0.16mg/m= by 2024. DPM results above the 0.16mg/m= limit improved slightly from 11.54% in 2017 to 10.96% in 2018. In an effort to reduce DPM exposure, South Deep continues to drive compliance to maintenance schedules and utilises only tier 3 and 4 machinery running on lower sulphur content diesel. Drill rigs only use diesel when travelling and switch to electrical when drilling.

Substance abuse

During 2018, 6,206 cannabis (2017: 7,755) and 277,100 (2017: 273,500) alcohol tests were performed. Nine employees were tested positive for cannabis and 82 were tested positive for alcohol. All employees who tested positive for these substances were put through an employee assistance programme. Should an employee be tested positive for a second time, a formal hearing is conducted that could lead to dismissal.

There were no new cases of NIHL reported during 2018. Furthermore, due to the nature of our Cerro Corona operation, the exposure levels and concentration of personal and area DPM samples are insignificant.

Chewing coca leaves is a cultural practice in the high altitude areas of Latin America, but which has deleterious impacts on those who practice it. Cerro Corona's ongoing programme to eradicate coca leaf consumption covers topics such as loss of insurance coverage, chronic fatigue and malnutrition. The entire workforce was taken through an awareness-raising refresher programme in 2018, which was incorporated into the new employee induction course. Six of the mine's host communities and 130 family members of employees were also taken through the course.

The Chilean Ministry of Health inspected Salares Norte's polyclinic, focusing on verifying compliance with hypobaric requirements and emergency response. The regulator verified the project's compliance with health and emergency requirements. We also implemented the regulator's occupational health protocols at the project.

No new cases of NIHL were reported during the year.

Our control strategies with regard to DPM are effective, with the majority of our samples yielding results substantially below the exposure limit recommended by the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists.

Mental health has been highlighted as a problem that is particularly acute among Fly-In, Fly-Out workers at mining camps. Historically, our operations have implemented a range of initiatives to promote mental health amongst our employees. However, additional initiatives have been identified for implementation:

• At St Ives, we have introduced "Mates in Mining" as part of our "Vital Behaviours" programme, through which 400 employees received training in mental health during 2018. This programme includes providing them with the necessary skills to identify and facilitate early interventions when mental health issues become evident
• At Granny Smith, our "Vital Behaviours" programme absorbed an initiative known as LIVINWell, which aims to enhance employee wellbeing by encouraging them to speak up when challenged with mental health issues and to seek help. The intent is to abolish the stigma associated with mental health
• Gold Fields Australia also support the national "RU OK day" initiative, which supports our mine-specific programmes. Our sites launched specific interventions on the day, and provided information sessions on mental health. For employees who are experiencing mental health problems, we are providing assistance in helping them address their problems

Contact with silica dust is limited at our Ghanaian operations. Mitigation measures have been implemented to ensure efficiency of existing controls, which have proven to be effective in reducing silica concentration levels.

Our workforce in Ghana faces a high risk of exposure to malaria and we have a comprehensive malaria control strategy in place, which incorporates education, prevention, prophylaxis and treatment. It also includes provision of mosquito repellent for workers, support for community health facilities and rapid diagnosis and treatment. In 2018, 227 employees (2017: 392) tested positive for malaria after 1,405 individuals (2017: 2,460) were tested at both Tarkwa and Damang. None of the treated cases proved fatal. The lower treatment numbers were due to the move to contractor mining at Tarkwa. During the year, 279 company housing units were covered under the malaria vector control indoor spraying programme, and 700 insecticide-treated bed nets were distributed to community residents.

HIV/Aids management is integrated into Gold Fields' mainstream health services, and VCT takes place during regular employee health assessments. In Ghana, where the national HIV/Aids rate is around 2%, employees and contractors have access to a confidential VCT programme which they receive free of charge. During 2018, about 60% of the workforce underwent the VCT, of whom two tested positive. By year-end, Ghana had 10 employees on HAART (2017: 34).

Both Tarkwa and Damang identified a number of personal noise exposures exceeding the regulated limit of 85dB(A). Employees were educated and counselled to use existing control measures to prevent hearing damage. On average, 43% of tested vehicles and machines exceeded the noise limit, but the use of hearing protection reduced the noise exposure by employees to below regulated limits. Equipment that exceeds the limits is also being re-engineered to reduce noise levels.

During Tarkwa's contract mining transition, employees underwent compulsory exit medical assessments. Two cases of silicosis, nine cases of NIHL and 67 musculoskeletal disorders were identified. Employees retired on medical grounds were duly compensated as per regulations and the collective agreement.

Drug and alcohol testing continued at both our Ghanaian operations, and 87 contractors and three Gold Fields employees tested positive either for alcohol or drugs at Tarkwa. In line with the region's zero tolerance for drug and alcohol policy, all employees who tested positive have either been dismissed or banned from the site. Testing is compulsorily for all employees and contractors entering the mine.