To all Ontario Operations Employees:
It is with deep regret that I must inform everyone today that two of our employees were fatally injured last night while working around an ore pass at the 3000-level of Stobie Mine. Mine rescue was dispatched, however both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene. All other employees were brought to surface and accounted for.
The immediate families of the two employees have been notified, and our full support is being offered to them as they begin to cope with their loss. The names of the individuals are being withheld out of respect for the families so that they can notify relatives and close friends.
Our Critical Incident Stress Management Team is on site at Stobie Mine to offer personal support to friends and co-workers of the two individuals. The scheduled day shift and night shift at Stobie Mine have been cancelled.
Our Employee Assistance Program is also available to all employees needing personal support during this difficult time.
The matter is being investigated by the Greater Sudbury Police Services, the Ministry of Labour, and representatives of Vale and the United Steelworkers Local 6500.
This is a devastating loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and co-workers of these employees. We will be concentrating our efforts on understanding exactly what occurred so that we can do everything we can to prevent this from happening again.
I encourage all of you to look out and care for one another as we get through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jon Treen
General manager
Vale Ontario operations
For more information, contact:
Amanda Eady – (705) 682-5454
amanda.eady@vale.com
Cory McPhee – (416) 361-7669
cory.mcphee@vale.com