Anglo American is making available up to US$30 million of support toward the global availability of COVID-19 vaccines across its operational footprint. The nature of the contribution, consisting of cash and in-kind support, will differ based on the vaccine deployment models for each country. Anglo American’s support is expected to include contributions toward the procurement of vaccines by host governments, as well as logistical support and health and other infrastructure required to facilitate the efficient roll-out of vaccines.
“Anglo American has a long history of supporting major public health programs to help improve the health of our employees and host communities, as well as running major health facilities around our operations over many decades,” Chief Executive Mark Cutifani said. “This is in our DNA as a company – it is how we do business. We must help in any way we can.”
In South Africa, Anglo American will allocate US$10 million of the company’s global support commitment. This contribution includes the purchase of vaccines via South Africa’s Solidarity Fund; logistical support in the form of transportation and storage to help ensure safe and efficient vaccine delivery; use of Anglo American’s operational health facilities and health professionals — in the regions of the Northern Cape, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga — to help administer vaccines to the more than 45,000-strong workforce, their families and host communities; and training community health workers to assist in administering vaccines.
“By supporting the South African government’s efforts to roll out vaccines at speed and scale, we are making a further positive contribution to helping protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of South Africans,” said Nolitha Fakude, chair of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa. “This is a significant undertaking, which requires business, labor, civil society and government to work together for the benefit of all.
Anglo American is working with the authorities in each of the countries where it operates to best assist vaccine rollout efforts. Through its contributions, Anglo American is committed to the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines.
Cutifani said the success of the vaccinations will depend on how well everyone works together. “The more of us that are vaccinated, the safer we will all be and the more quickly we can help rebuild our economies,” he added.
