COPPER: Ivanhoe leading fight against malaria in DRC

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines of Vancouver is teaming up with Toronto’s Fio Corp. and Chemonics International to fight malaria in this African nation. The initiative is part of the government’s ongoing campaign to fight the debilitating disease in the DRC.

The Fionet™ system, developed in Canada, combines mobile, smart devices and cloud data services to improve the diagnosis and care of malaria patients. The collected data can also be used for research and planning future prevention. Fio's intelligent devices, known as Deki™ readers, automate critical analyses of diagnostic tests for malaria, provide step-by-step guidance through workflows designed according to national guidelines, and make it easier for health workers to track patient health outcomes over multiple visits. US-based Chemonics will provide support for implementing the program.

The first phase of the program will cover two established provincial health zones that provide services to a total of approximately 300,000 residents living in 40 urban centres and 330 villages. The Kipushi health zone, in southern Haut-Katanga province, includes Ivanhoe's Kipushi copper-zinc mine. The Kanzenze health zone, in Lualaba province, includes Ivanhoe's Kamoa copper discovery and mine development project.

If our readers are operating in high risk health areas, visit Fio.com to find a potential solution at your projects. Ivanhoe Capital is Fio’s largest external shareholder with investments totalling $12.5 million.