New From Good to Great · 2020. 1. 15. · Long Harbour launches one of the world’s best nickel...

Vale Community Report 2018/2019

Newfoundland and Labrador

From Good to Great

Taking safety to the next level .........................................................................10Getting future-ready ..........................................................................................12Friendly faces, from familiar places ................................................................14Our future is young ..............................................................................................15Using water responsibly .....................................................................................16In touch with our ecosystems ..........................................................................17

On the cover: Brittany Piercey harvests copper at Long Harbour Processing Plant.

Long Harbour Processing Plant. Voisey’s Bay Mine and Concentrator.

ContentsA message from Dino Otranto ..........................................................................1The go-ahead for a prosperous future ..........................................................2Milestones .................................................................................................................3From first blast to full-on .....................................................................................4Creating “firsts” in innovation ...........................................................................5How we rate: Voisey’s Bay ..................................................................................6How we rate: Long Harbour Operations .....................................................8

BrumadinhoJanuary 25, 2019We will never forget

MissionTo transform natural resources into prosperity and sustainable development.

VisionTo be the number one global natural resources company in creating long-term value, through excellence and passion for people and the planet.

Values• Life matters most• Value our people• Prize our planet• Do what is right• Improve together• Make it happen

A message from Dino Otranto

Vale Community Report 2018/2019 | 1

This past year, I transitioned from Director, Technology & Development for Vale’s global Base Metals business into my new role as Chief Operating Officer (COO), and it has been an extraordinary experience, both personally and professionally.

My first priority as COO was to put on my boots to get to know the business and our employees firsthand to grasp the complexities and opportunities before us. As I visited our North Atlantic operations in Thompson, MB; Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ont; Long Harbour and Voisey’s Bay, NL; and Clydach, UK, I was humbled, inspired and excited to discover the business through our people and our communities. What is clear to me is that our people are committed, and our communities are counting on us to live by our values.

There is so much heart and history in each of our operations and so much strength in our communities. You will see proof of this within the pages of this report as we share our highlights, milestones, performance results, improvements and partnerships. I am proud to be leading our operations during a time of extraordinary transformation.

The most important work we do every day is getting everyone home safely. In our industry, managing risk is a critical part of

our daily lives. On that note, it has been a difficult year; the dam failure at Brumadinho in Brazil impacted an entire community and took the lives of hundreds of people, many of them our employees. Naturally, a tragic event of this magnitude demands a high level of introspection on how we do business — in terms of our approach to safety and risk management, who we are as a company, and who we need to become. I commit to working tirelessly to understand and address the risks we face, the key controls we need, and ways we can work together to assure our loved ones that we will return safely after each shift and bring our communities peace of mind.

There has been much change in our business and I will continue to foster the stability that is necessary to deliver on our commitments. At this pivotal time in our history, I commit to lead with care, respect and integrity and look forward to working with all of you to realize the best possible future for our people, our families and our communities.

Dino OtrantoChief Operating Officer — North Atlantic Operations and Asian Refineries

Meet Dino OtrantoA native of Germany, Dino now lives in Sudbury, Ont., with his family. He brings with him many years of operational leadership and experience with global mining companies, including BHP and South 32, where he served as Vice President of Operations of the company’s Worsley Alumina business.


We Make it Happen. A roof bolter and a twin boom jumbo rig are pictured drilling in the Eastern Deeps decline at Voisey’s Bay, as part of our Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion project.

Double the workforce Voisey’s Bay Underground Mine will have 900 permanent positions.

This is an exciting time for Vale in Newfoundland and Labrador. Changes underway in our operations — and throughout our industry — signal growing optimism for the future of our business, our workforce and our host communities.

We are proud to be a fully integrated operation with a full-circle approach to our business. All ore mined in our province is now also processed in our province. This approach galvanizes long-term benefits for our company, the local communities and businesses.

Unearthing new opportunities in LabradorWe announced the renewal of our nearly US$2 billion capital investment in the Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion project in June 2018, and work was in full swing within four months. As a result, the life of operations at the site has now been extended until at least 2034. In partnership with the Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut Government, we will be developing the rich resources at the site, just as our open-pit mine nears the end of its life.

Long Harbour launches one of the world’s best nickelVale’s Long Harbour Operations proved to the world that our advanced hydrometallurgical (hydromet) technology is more sustainable than traditional methods to refine nickel, cobalt and copper — with less energy and lower emissions. In 2018, our processing plant also began producing one of the world’s best nickel products: one of the highest grades, used in premium applications like chrome plating. We launched this superior product to the world in September 2018, welcoming 80 customers from China, India, Malaysia, Europe, Turkey, Japan and other nations around the globe to tour our operations.

Earning an “ace” in manufacturingA certification by the International Standards Organization signifies to customers a commitment to excellence. In March 2018, our team in Long Harbour began working toward obtaining ISO 9001 certification, recently achieving it in our final product finishing and packing area.

The go-ahead for a prosperous future


Rewarding continuous improvements We’re improving how we listen, learn, collaborate and take action together — building skills employees can apply in the workplace and in the community. We continued to implement our Vale Production System (VPS), supported by a recognition program for employee-driven ideas and solutions based on the idea that small, continual improvements make a big difference. VPS gives employees a voice to to be change agents: to expose and solve problems — especially when it comes to promoting safety, reducing costs and eliminating waste.

Closer ties across operationsVale’s Newfoundland and Labrador Operations span sites that are 2,000 km apart by ship, but tighter teamwork within our more integrated operations is making us better, together. In 2018, our World-Class Workplace recognition program brought 20 employees from Voisey’s Bay to spend time with their peers in Long Harbour and share workplace improvements from their departments.

Role modelling Tooled as precisely as what you might see in a state-of-the-art auto plant, the model production line implemented in our Long Harbour Processing Plant in 2018 is helping us elevate job skills in advanced manufacturing. We use it as a showcase for employees to learn and experience what VPS can achieve.

Upgrading IT, everywhereWe’re redesigning our workplaces with information technology (IT) to stay connected and make informed decisions. Our digital transformation — on surface and underground — lets us share data in real time, respond quickly to change and simplify work in the field.

Milestones Voisey’s Bay• Cut fuel consumption

by 3% Retrofitted 5 of 6 diesel generators

• Cut energy use Switched to LED lights in the plant

• Reduced environmental footprint Removed equipment no longer needed onsite

They crushed it!Finalists from local VPS Challenges in 2018 presented winning ideas to colleagues from across Vale’s North Atlantic Operations in Toronto. With their Extension Chute in Pebble Crusher, Jonathan Andrew (middle) and Team Voisey’s Bay devised a safer, more efficient way to contain ore pebbles along a conveyor.

Long Harbour• Lowered emissions

The hydromet process uses less energy


This is the first blast of the portal rock face at our Reid Brook underground development. Thanks to our hardworking employees and contractors, it was completed two weeks ahead of schedule!

By developing untapped ore deposits and refining high-quality nickel products right here in our home province, Vale in Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to sustaining decades of economic growth and employment across our communities.

Voisey’s Bay Mine ExpansionThe “first blast” of rock broke the surface in October 2018 to mark the entrance to a new mine ramp at our Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion project. It was a symbolic moment, and a time to celebrate, after a long process of planning, engineering, recruiting, safety training and site preparation.

Our well-primed team mobilized to achieve this milestone within just four months of getting the official go-ahead — two weeks ahead of schedule! With work now well underway, here’s a summary of what’s ahead:

What’s being developed Two underground ore bodies, Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps, each containing several million tonnes of high-grade nickel, copper and cobalt.

From first blast to full-on Job opportunitiesOur construction workforce will reach 1,200 at the peak, then gradually reduce through 2020/2021. Highly skilled, experienced miners are needed for the critical part of underground mine development. Once operational, the mine will increase the workforce from about 550 today to around 900 people, including Vale employees and contractors.

Why now?As operations in the open pit mine are winding down, concentrate from the underground mines will replace current production and be shipped to our Long Harbour Operations for further refining into nickel, copper and cobalt for our customers across the globe.

A deal sealed in cobaltA one-year pause in the Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion allowed Vale to review and secure project financing. As a result of improved markets and growing demand for cobalt — a by-product of nickel production — Vale obtained US$690 million in June 2018 through an up-front supply agreement. This streams the rights to 75% of future cobalt production to companies servicing increased demand for this silver-grey metal.

Batteries for electric vehicles are a key driver of demand.12 million more EVs on the road by 2025.

Mine expansionEnsures continuous production until at least 2034.


driver Beatrice Clowe, a member of Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (pictured above). Beatrice received training through the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership (LATP) and Innu Inuit Redpath (IRR).

Class of 2018 One of Vale’s first trainees in our intensive Underground Mine Training Program was heavy-equipment operator Nina Ford, from Makkovik (pictured above). Part of the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership (LATP) program took place at the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) in Sudbury, Ont.

Development in Newfoundland and Labrador gives us an edge to invest in innovations for safer, more productive operations.

Smart idea: smartphones undergroundThe digital infrastructure to support operations in the underground mines is coming to life. In December 2018, our IT team switched on the high-speed, private, cellular network that will be accessible underground. LTE wireless communication is the backbone of our “digital mine,” where workers will be amongst the first in the world to be equipped with a custom smartphone app and critical real-time data.

Biting off a ‘first’ in mine maintenanceIn 2018, our maintenance team was first in the world to deploy a system assisted by AI — artificial intelligence — to monitor the condition of heavy equipment used to load and excavate ore. It detects broken “teeth” on the buckets so our employees can respond instantly.

Labrador Operations is rocking it!Construction and development at our Voisey’s Bay site provides a unique setting where local people can develop skills and earn job qualifications for underground mining.

Hauling honoursIn March 2019 we celebrated the first time we used a Haul Truck to bring a load of blasted rock to the surface from underground. On the team was haul truck

Long Harbour Processing Plant: from project to productionIn a final ramp-up, our Long Harbour Processing Plant hit its stride in 2018, stepping up delivery of high-quality, in-demand products.

Taking our nickel up-marketIn 2018, our plant began producing plating-grade nickel, the highest grade of electrolytic nickel for use in premium markets. (You can read more about this on page 2.)

Hitting production targetsWe produced more than 3,700 tonnes of nickel rounds in December 2018, and closed the year running at 89% of designed capacity — a significant milestone within our five-year start-up plan.

Creating ‘firsts’ in innovation


Independently verified Our 2018 TSM ratings were verified by an external auditor.

A

B

AA

AAA

C

Crisis Management

Safety and Health

Aboriginal and

Community Outreach

Tailings Management

Energy Use and GHG Emissions

Biodiversity Conservation

Voisey’s Bay - 2018

The dashed red line represents MAC’s goal for member facilities to achieve an A Level or better.

As a member of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), Vale in Newfoundland and Labrador participates in the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program, a set of tools and indicators that help us operate in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way.

Developed in Canada, TSM is now recognized as a world standard for responsible business conduct, and tests

How we rate: Voisey’s Bayus to engage with our communities, drive world-leading environmental practices and commit to the safety and health of employees and surrounding communities.

For 2018, the circle graph (below) indicates how Vale Labrador Operations rated across defined protocols. Vale aims to meet or exceed TSM Level A objectives (beyond the dashed red line).

One of our employees performs a lock out/tag out at Voisey’s Bay. Vale hosts a community BBQ in Hopedale, Labrador.


Tailings ManagementTSM protocols for tailings management are being updated in 2019 with a more detailed focus on emergency preparedness. We have implemented plans to close any gaps by the end of the year, aiming to earn an AAA rating for all new requirements.

Health and SafetyWe raised our score from AA to AAA for our policy, commitment and accountability. A requirement to conduct external audits on other indicators is being addressed this year.

Aboriginal and Community OutreachAboriginal and Community Engagement is one of Vale’s best-performing protocols company-wide.

Crisis ManagementWe achieved a AAA rating across all Crisis Management and Communication Planning protocols for 2018, and continue to update plans and procedures to include underground locations and tailings areas at our Labrador Operations.

Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas EmissionsVoisey’s Bay made strides in managing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, improving our rating from AA to AAA in most areas. We began reporting Scope 3 emissions to assess the impact of greenhouse gases across our value chain.

Biodiversity Conservation ManagementPerformance across these protocols for 2018 was at the highest AAA rating, working in close collaboration with our partner communities in Labrador to protect vulnerable ecosystems and enhance biodiversity.

MV Umiak 1 en route to Voisey’s Bay, Labrador.


Independently verified Our 2018 TSM ratings were verified by an external auditor.

As a recently established mining industry facility, Vale’s Long Harbour Operations has been implementing a phased-in approach to reporting Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols for 2018, as supported by the Mining Association of Canada. This gives us time to implement each protocol, improve systems and establish relationships with our communities.

A

B

AA

AAA

C

Crisis Management

Safety and Health

Aboriginal and

Community Outreach

Tailings Management

Energy Use and GHG Emissions

Biodiversity Conservation

Long HarbourOperations - 2018

The dashed red line represents MAC’s goal for member facilities to achieve an A Level or better in all indicators.

How we rate: Long Harbour OperationsEven so, by 2018 our Long Harbour Operations rated an A Level or higher in nearly every protocol — ahead of schedule. We are working to achieve an A Level or higher rating across all indicators in our next TSM external verification.

We Prize our Planet. Water quality sampling in Long Harbour. Roundwater monitoring in Long Harbour.


Community OutreachSignificant improvements were made in this protocol in our Long Harbour Operations in 2018, but we could do more to take us from AA to a AAA rating. We are following a more interactive process to identify and form ties with groups in broader communities.

Crisis ManagementAll indicators were satisfied for Crisis Management and Communication Planning in 2018. However, we will continually improve our processes to better document meetings with outside agencies and coordinate emergency response plans.

Tailings ManagementWe made gains in the Tailings Management protocols in 2018, bringing our average rating up to a B by introducing formal audits and an annual review. To close the gaps, we’re adopting best practices in line with the Canadian Tailings Management Policy, aiming to earn at least an A rating before all tailings indicators in 2019.

Health and SafetyIn Health and Safety performance, we continually strive for AAA. In 2018, we improved across all indicators from A to at least AA or greater. We aim to close the gaps across all indicators, and to continue evaluating the effectiveness of our training.

Greenhouse Gas EmissionsWe achieved our goal of at least an A for all indicators in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, raising our ratings across the board in 2018.

Biodiversity Conservation ManagementPerformance in the Biodiversity Conservation Management protocol improved significantly in 2018, to top marks of AAA in all indicators, assisted by our active partnerships with conservation organizations and integrating biodiversity with our business planning.

A view of our Long Harbour Operations port.


The health and safety of employees, contractors and communities is Vale’s first and foremost priority, and a culture of Zero Harm is deeply engrained in our operating practices.

Award-winning safety record For the fifth consecutive year, we are extremely proud of our Voisey’s Bay Mine employees in Labrador for winning the national John T. Ryan Trophy in the Select Mines category for yet another outstanding year of safety. We consider this the highest honour from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM).

An integrated approach to trainingNew training resources launched in 2018 reinforced an integrated approach to Safe Production across Vale’s Newfoundland

and Labrador Operations. From a new orientation video — featuring our own people — to customized training modules on the essentials of risk management: trainees, employees and leaders are speaking the same language of Safe Production in all locations.

All-in for continuous improvementWe introduced a Safe Production by Leaders course to raise our level of performance at the front lines, and to emphasize that every person associated with Vale, no matter their position, are responsible for practising safety awareness, recognizing hazards and analyzing risk.

As a result, more than 6,800 interactive “boots on the ground” discussions were tracked in 2018 in our Long Harbour Operations — used to identify areas that may need more resources or additional training.

Taking safety to the next level

6 million... and countingIn August 2019, our Labrador Operations surpassed six million person-hours without a single lost-time injury on the job. Lost-time injuries are only one representation of safety performance: We also measure future-looking indicators, such as the effectiveness of our training programs.

A shout-out for keen eyesPointing out potential dangers in the workplace — from tripping hazards to things out of place — is not only welcome, it’s rewarded. Labrador Operations team members Dean Janes, Kevin Young and Tyler Pamak (pictured right) were the top-three issuers of unsafe conditions cards in 2018; a practice we use to document potential hazards. To thank them for their contributions, the threesome represented Vale at the prestigious Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Awards Gala in Montreal. As it turned out, they were the only frontline workers at the gala. “Everyone else from other companies was upper management,” noted Kevin, “and they were pleasantly surprised to see that we were operators accepting the award on behalf of Vale.”

Fourth from left: Vale employees Matt Hynes, Kevin Young, Dean Janes and Tyler Pamak receive the national John T. Ryan award for Safety.


We Improve Together. Gaylon Ryland and Ashley Crocker review the Risk Matrix at our Long Harbour Operations.

A ‘dashboard’ for safety Our company is developing more dynamic views on safety and environmental performance by increasing our ability to see and measure — in real time — how well we follow risk management procedures, regulatory requirements, and our own standard operating practices.

One tool we use to manage health, safety and environmental risks across Vale’s Newfoundland and Labrador Operations is an Integrated Management System (IMS) to track and measure process controls —the steps and procedures to follow to avoid top hazards. An external audit of the IMS in 2018 found a 94.6% adherence rate to requirements.

Mental health matters• During Vale’s company-wide Health

Week in April, Labrador Operations invited an expert guest speaker onsite to talk about unique stressors of living in a remote work environment. The event was hosted during the cross shift to increase attendance.

• In June, Vale Canada won an International Association of Business Communicators’ Award of Merit for our 2017 Mental Health Awareness series, which appeared in our internal employee newsletter, Vale News. The Mental Health Awareness Campaign and series are annual company initiatives.

Fighting the danger of fatigueDriver fatigue is a critical hazard in any industrial workplace; at Vale, we’re investing in personal safety devices for operators to reduce this risk. Heavy equipment at our Voisey’s Bay site will include Optalert — a system that detects fatigue via eye movements, and signals an alarm on signs of drowsiness.

The stuff of lifeEnsuring a safe and comfortable living environment for employees in a remote work camp takes into account essential services, extreme weather, protection from wildlife encounters and more.

In 2018, work continued to upgrade infrastructure at Voisey’s Bay to keep pace with a growing population: increasing capacity of the potable water treatment plant for safe drinking water, commissioning sewage treatment facilities and constructing more accommodations.

Safety first Vale crews, operators and contractors gather for a daily “Start of Shift” or “Toolbox Meeting” that always includes a safety briefing.

Safety selfiesInspired by digital innovation and our all-in approach to safety, Vale employees at Voisey’s Bay and Long Harbour collaborated on a pilot project in 2018 to snap “before and after” photos showcasing their ideas for workplace improvements, and demonstrating how they were meeting — and exceeding — IMS requirements.


Getting future-readyBuilding strong relationships in the communities where we work, live and raise our families keeps Vale sustainable in a way that benefits us all.

Community outreachIn the years we’ve been active in Newfoundland and Labrador, external committees have been one effective way to share information and make informed decisions on what matters to local residents. For example:

• We’re finding ways to improve business practices as they relate to our Labrador Operations through a Business Development Committee with representatives from Nunatsiavut Government, Innu Nation and Vale.

• We’re adhering to our commitments outlined in our Impacts and Benefits Agreements, and aligned on our approach to training, hiring, and retaining Aboriginal employees, through our various committees with the Nunatsiavut Government and the Innu Nation.

• We’re more attuned to local concerns thanks to our Long Harbour Community Liaison Committee, comprised of members from the town council, community leaders and Vale’s management team.

Supporting causes for good healthOne way Vale invests in the well-being of people in our host communities is by providing funding for organizations that bring health education and life-changing programs to a local level. In 2018, these included:

• Canadian Diabetes Association

• Canadian Cancer Society

• Prostate Cancer Foundation

Safer workplaces Vale is a national sponsor of Steps for Life, a charity that helps families heal from the effects of a workplace injury, fatality or illness. United in our staunch commitment to Zero Harm in any workplace, Vale employees and contractors from our Long Harbour Operations, Labrador Operations and the St. John’s office raise money and take part in the Steps for Life annual memory walk.

Champions for mental healthVale takes mental health seriously, recognizing that it’s as essential as our physical wellbeing. To that end, Vale champions causes that destigmatize and raise funds for mental health, and is the title sponsor for Defeat Depression, which held its first annual Walk for Mental Health in St. John’s Bowring Park. The event raised more than $20,000 for local mental health services.

We Do What is Right. Vale supports the annual Steps for Life walks, which take place across Canada to educate communities about the devastating effects of workplace tragedies, and how to work together to prevent others from being injured or killed on the job.


‘Plant’-based food driveLast year, Vale’s Long Harbour Operations launched its first Thanksgiving Food Drive for local families in need. A competition between departments brought in nearly 200 kilograms of non-perishable food for the Placentia Area Food Bank in the community of Freshwater.

Hometown pride Site visits are a fun way to show off our industry-leading technology and forge ties with neighbours. In August 2018, Vale took part in a special Come Home Celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Long Harbour–Mount Arlington Heights. Four bus tours of our plant site offered a look at the work we do, from port operations to processing our finished products. A few guests told us it was their first time home since before Vale was onsite!

A class act for science We take every opportunity to teach children about local geology and to inspire future careers in the mining industry. In November 2018, geologists from our Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion project, Stephanie Baggs and Matt Stewart (see below), addressed a captivated audience of Grade 4 and 5 students at St. Edward’s School, located in Kelligrews.

Arts and cultureCommunity-focused initiatives that bring people together through arts and culture are particularly important to us. In 2018, Vale sponsored events such as the Melville Music Festival and the Placentia-area Summer Theatre Program.

“ We wanted to show [the students] that mining and minerals translate into stuff you use in your everyday life — and into a great career path.” — Matt Stewart, Vale geologist

Vale geologists Stephanie Baggs and Matthew Stewart regaled students from St. Edward’s school in Kelligrews with samples and stories to supplement their Earth sciences curriculum.

Some of the 78 eager Grade 4 and 5 kids at St. Edward’s School getting a hands-on experience with geology.

All aboard the ‘Friendship Games’Vale is a proud sponsor of the Labrador Winter Games, which celebrate traditional skills and modern sports. One of the most decorated athletes in the history of the Labrador Winter Games is Trent Pottle, a Voisey’s Bay employee since 2011. Trent has won 15-plus medals over seven games and was named Top Overall Games Male Athlete in 2019.

Trent Pottle’s biggest fan, his son Kylan, sports the gold medal Trent won for badminton men’s single at the 2019 Labrador Winter Games.


Candidates of the JRTP program at Voisey’s Bay proudly display their Certificates of Completion for finishing the first step: Career Exposure.

Promoting from withinOur in-house Job Readiness Training Program (JRTP) was once again a success in 2018, preparing 13 Nunatsiavut beneficiaries and Innu Nation members as job-ready trainees. More than a third of these excellent recruits have been promoted. We expanded this program in 2019 with an aim to hire 16 trainees.

Facilitating dialogue Innu and Inuit employees have an advocate to speak out on workplace issues and living conditions through our volunteer Aboriginal Advisory Committees, onsite at Voisey’s Bay. The 11 members of the Inuit Advisory Committee and four members of the Innu Advisory Committee meet every three months with the Aboriginal Affairs team and the Head of Labrador Operations.

It was a challenging but successful year for our Labrador Operations, where we work in partnership with members of the Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut Government to maximize the benefits of developing resources on these traditional lands.

Our Aboriginal Affairs Department ended 2018 with a fully staffed team, welcoming new faces to fill vacant posts, and adding two new full-time positions. This means we can be more active in communities, while maintaining a presence at our Voisey’s Bay Mine site.

Improving accountability We reviewed and formalized our operating standards to take Aboriginal partnerships into consideration across every department — from job postings to procurement and other areas. All staff continuously audit and verify that we follow every part of our benefits agreements.

Friendly faces, from familiar places

Labrador Aboriginal Training PartnershipVale works closely with the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership (LATP) to implement the Aboriginal Training Strategy that prepares Aboriginal people from Labrador communities for employment in the natural resource sector. The LATP funds its clients to participate in specialized training programs and provides wage subsidies for those who are hired in apprenticeships.

In 2018, in support of this partnership, Vale’s Newfoundland and Labrador Operations helped launch the Underground Mining Training Program. A total of 16 participants from Innu and Nunatsiavut communities were selected to attend four weeks of specialized training at the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology in Sudbury, Ontario, the world’s leading training centre for mining technology. This led to hiring 12 underground miner trainees and four trade apprentices.

First traineesMeet some of our first trainees, on page 5.


Post-secondary scholarships In 2018, Vale Newfoundland and Labrador awarded a total of $11,000 in scholarships to five Innu and Inuit students from Rigolet, Makkovik, Hopedale, Nain and Sheshatshiu for their post-secondary studies in programs ranging from law to nursing to welding. Every qualified applicant who applied won a scholarship!

From apps to awardsVale continued to support the Stay in School Program in 2018 with funding to seven schools on Labrador’s North Coast and Sheshatshiu for incentives that promote attendance and good grades.

Vale’s pre-employment skills development and education programs are focused on the younger generation. Our programs encourage young people to stay in school and help shape the future of sustainable mining.

A taste of camp lifeIn 2018, a group of high school students from across our IBA communities got a taste of camp life at the Voisey’s Bay Mine site during a two-night visit. They toured the open pit mine, the concentrator and the port at Edward’s Cove, and experienced the thrill of riding aboard a Caterpillar 777 Haul Truck — many accompanied by a family member.

Our future is young

For more information on our Labrador-focused community outreach, Vale’s Impacts and Benefits Agreement Report is available to members of communities in Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville, Hopedale, Nain, Natuashish and Sheshatshiu, and at Innu Nation and Nunatsiavut Government offices.

$169.5m$169.5 million worth of supplies were procured from Innu- and Inuit-owned enterprises in 2018.

50%+More than half of our operations workforce at Voisey’s Bay is Nunatsiavut Inuit or Innu.

80%+More than 80% of operations contracts are with Aboriginal-owned and operated businesses.

Some used it for academic awards while others held events and anti-bullying campaigns. The Mushuau Innu Natuashish School purchased student-friendly apps that help improve literacy skills.

Giving a good grilling!It’s a summer tradition for Vale management and employees to flip burgers and hotdogs for families across Labrador. Our annual Community BBQs are a summer highlight and a chance to connect with colleagues, family and friends. In 2018, we fired up the grills in Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville, Hopedale, Nain, Natuashish and Sheshatshiu. To keep things cool, children received water toys for some summer fun.

School tour at Voisey’s Bay.


Using water responsibly

Commitment to our communities balances sustainable economic development with respect for our natural environment by actively lessening the impact of our operations on water, air and land.

Monitoring quality in real timeWe actively manage and monitor water quality in the water courses around our facilities. In 2018, and to date, Vale Newfoundland and Labrador met or exceeded all standards in local water bodies. Through a network of Real Time Water Quality (RTWQ) monitoring stations — four at Voisey’s Bay and eight at Long Harbour — we continually track current conditions such as temperature, pH, specific conductivity, and total suspended solids (clarity).

See for yourself! Data is reported on the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment webpage: Visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/ and type “RTWQ” into the search bar.

We’re making better use of existing freshwater sources by investing in infrastructure and adjusting our mining and refining processes to reclaim and recycle as much water as possible.

As part of our Water Management Plan at Voisey’s Bay, we introduced conservation measures that reduced freshwater consumption by more than 45% in 2018. These improvements reduce the potential need for any new source of freshwater in the future — as we expand our operations to include two new underground mines.

Keeping it clean At a remote mine site, surrounded by water and wildlife, you can’t just put trash at the curb for collection. The Voisey’s Bay Environmental Management System helps keep waste in its place with practices to handle it safely and responsibly — and protect the environment. Our Waste Management Plan is reviewed annually and revised as we prepare for future needs.

Building it ‘by the book.’ In anticipation of the fast-paced construction now underway at our Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion site, we have all environmental permits, regulatory approvals and commitments in place for each stage. Our project planners track requirements on a central permits registry, and are supported by a full-time environmental consultant who liaises with regulatory agencies, design engineers and stakeholders.

Water monitoring at Long Harbour Operations.


Checking for invasive species in Long Harbour.

In touch with our ecosystemsHome sweet pond: a healthy fish countWe’re seeing healthy fish populations thrive in new freshwater habitats — developed to offset changes to aquatic environments around our Long Harbour Operations.

Forgotten Pond has been expanded to more than double its original size, providing a bigger area for resident fish. Two artificially created ponds, close to the plant, are now also sustaining fish populations like brook trout and others.

The work is being done in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to compensate for any harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat (known as a HADD Agreement), with results monitored over 10 years.

One of our objectives in biodiversity conservation is to contribute to the study and care of habitats to support healthy and diverse ecosystems.

Not wanted: Invasive speciesIn 2018, our Labrador Operations hosted a research team from Fisheries and Oceans Canada studying arctic shipping ports to protect marine habitats from invasive microorganisms that can cling to ship hulls or in ballasts. Vale flew in crew and supplies, provided accommodations and lab space, and had members of our Environment team assist the researchers’ work.

Wanted: Right whales! The Umiak I, a ship built to transport concentrate from Voisey’s Bay to Long Harbour, also carries out scientific studies while en route. The FedNav-owned vessel joined forces with the Marine Mammal Observation Network to spot creatures in Gulf of St. Lawrence waterways, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

We stood up to the ‘stack’ test As production at our Long Harbour Processing Plant surpassed 80% capacity in 2018, we met a milestone monthly environmental requirement for “emission stack testing.” Results reaffirmed that our hydromet technology generates very little sulphur dioxide in the production of nickel, copper and cobalt, and emits 90% less particulate matter than traditional refining. In fact, the plant has no “traditional” stacks — just two boiler stacks and building exhaust vents.

Renewable energy sourcesTo offset reliance on diesel-fired power plants at Voisey’s Bay, we’re looking at the viability of wind power and other renewable energy. This aligns with Vale’s global strategy to consider options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: the company has invested in wind farms in Brazil and used wind turbines at remote mines to power radio equipment.

We want to hear from you If you have any comments or suggestions regarding any information in this report, please call 1-800-698-6540 in Labrador or 709-752-1967 in Long Harbour or email [email protected].

We Value Our People. Keith Gillingham is shown in the Power House at Voisey’s Bay.

New From Good to Great · 2020. 1. 15. · Long Harbour launches one of the world’s best nickel...

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