July 13, 2011 – Republic of Mining

People before profit, Vale CEO Murilo Ferreira says – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – July 13, 2011)

July 13, 2011July 13, 2011

The Sudbury Star, the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. cmulligan@thesudburystar.com

“I want to make it undoubtedly clear that safety comes before production at this company. People are always more important than any results or material goods. … If you see a risky situation or unsafe behaviour, it is your duty to intervene.”
(Vale CEO Murilo Ferreira – July 13, 2011)

Editor’s note: The names of Jordan Fram and Jason Chenier are incorrect in today’s print edition of The Sudbury Star. We apologize to the families and to our readers for the error.

Safety comes before production and people are more important than profit, Vale’s chief executive officer Murilo Ferreira told his company’s 119,000 employees Tuesday. The comments came in a statement from Ferreira issued after eight Vale employees were killed in six accidents in the last three months.

Ferreira sent the letter to Vale employees on five continents, reminding them that mining can be dangerous and involves risk, but that safety is sacrosanct for the Brazil-based company. Two Sudbury miners, Jason Chenier, 35, and Jordan Fram, 26, died June 8 on the 3,000-foot level of Stobie Mine after a load of crushed ore fell on them.

That accident is under investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Vale and United Steelworkers Local 6500, the union to which the men belonged.

NEWS RELEASE: Detour Gold Holds Ground Breaking Ceremony for its New Regional Office in Cochrane with Provincial and Local Officials

July 13, 2011

July 12, 2011

TORONTO, ONTARIO — (MARKET WIRE) — 07/12/11 — Detour Gold Corporation (TSX: DGC) (“Detour Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it will be breaking ground today for the construction start of its new regional office in Cochrane, Ontario. The ceremony will also mark Detour Gold’s $1.3 billion investment in the region to build the Detour Lake mine, which will be Canada’s largest gold mining operation. This special event will be attended by Hon. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry; Hon. Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Attorney General; Peter Politis, Mayor of the Town of Cochrane; Chief Hardisty and representatives from the local First Nations and Metis groups.

Hon. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry said: “I am delighted to participate in today’s groundbreaking ceremony. The building of this new office is but a small part of a very large mine development project. The Detour Lake project is having a significant impact on the economy of the Town of Cochrane and all of northeast Ontario. I am appreciative of the commitments that Detour Gold has made to the Aboriginal communities in the area and that they will continue to work closely with them and the surrounding communities as they bring this project to fruition. Congratulations to everyone, I know this project will benefit the region for generations to come.”

Dubreuilville sawmill operator frustrated by wood competition – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – July, 2011)

July 13, 2011

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca.

Community struggling

Dubreuil Forest Products (DFP) is facing a future without a Crown wood supply. One of Canada’s last great company towns will not go down without a fight, said its sawmill general manager.

Dubreuil Forest Products (DFP) mill manager Dave Jennings said despite the government’s rejection of his company’s application for Crown fibre in the provincial wood supply competition, the dimensional lumber producer will find a way to carry on.

“We’re going to fight on, we’re not going to quit, we’re not going to go away and we’re going to do whatever it takes to ensure that the community and the mill survives.”

Jennings called the province’s plan to put Crown wood back to work “anything but fair” and said the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry’s (MNDMF) decision to strip his mill of wood supply will “imperil the town” and affect future livelihoods.