1998
The Beginning
Aurum is established to respond to the devastating burden of TB, HIV and occupational lung disease in South Africa’s mining communities.
About Aurum / Our History
Our story of
impact.
From Aurum’s beginnings in South Africa’s mining communities to an African organisation shaping research, policy and health delivery globally.
Our
history
A journey of impact — from the mining communities of South Africa to a proudly African organisation influencing policy, research and health delivery across countries and continents.
2004
A Global Stage
Aurum secures support for what would become the landmark Thibela TB study. Backed by a major international grant announced with the support of Nelson Mandela and the Gates Foundation, the study would eventually involve approximately 80,000 mineworkers. This was a turning point for Aurum, moving the organisation from a mining-sector research programme to an internationally recognised research organisation.
2010
Beyond the Mines
Aurum expands beyond its mining roots. New programmes, new partnerships and new geographies broaden the organisation’s reach and impact. The challenge is no longer just TB in mines; the challenge is health systems.
2017
IMPAACT4TB
Aurum launches one of the most ambitious TB prevention initiatives in the world. The project helps generate evidence for shorter TB preventive therapy regimens, supports major reductions in medicine pricing and contributes to adoption of TB preventive therapy in dozens of countries globally. With IMPAACT4TB, evidence moved beyond policy into large-scale implementation.
2023
25 Years of Excellence
Aurum celebrates a quarter century of impact. From a small research unit in the mining sector to a proudly African organisation influencing policy, research and health delivery across countries and continents.
2002
Breaking Barriers
Aurum helps launch one of the first large-scale antiretroviral treatment programmes in the mining sector. At a time when treatment access remained highly contested, Aurum helped prove that treatment could work in resource-constrained settings.
2004–2011
The Thibela Years
One of the largest TB prevention studies ever undertaken tests bold new approaches to stopping tuberculosis transmission. The findings help reshape understanding of TB prevention and influence future policy discussions around preventive treatment.
2013
Becoming The Aurum Institute
The organisation evolves from Aurum Health Research into The Aurum Institute. The new name reflects a broader mission: combining research, implementation and health systems strengthening to improve lives.
2020
A Pandemic Response
As COVID-19 disrupted health systems worldwide, Aurum researchers, clinicians and programme teams adapted rapidly. The organisation contributed to vaccine research, maintained essential HIV and TB services and helped communities navigate an unprecedented global crisis.
Next
Looking Ahead
The next chapter of Aurum’s story is already being written. New vaccines. New diagnostics. New health threats. New opportunities for African leadership in global health.
The mission remains the same as it was in 1998: Generate evidence for policy. Turn policy into practice. Create a healthier world for future generation.