NEWS RELEASE: VALE MINE EMPLOYEE FATALLY INJURED

SUDBURY, January 29, 2012 – Vale regretfully announces that an employee was fatally injured this afternoon while working underground in the main ore body at the 4215-foot level of the company’s Coleman Mine in Levack due to what appears to be some displacement of material from a development heading.  The employee was found and brought to surface, where he was subsequently pronounced dead by medical authorities.

The immediate family has been notified, however, the name of the employee is being withheld pending completion of the notification process.

The employee was 47 years old and had 16 years experience working with the Company.

“We are saddened and devastated by the loss of this employee,” said Kelly Strong, Vice President Mining & Milling (North Atlantic Operations) and General Manager, Ontario Operations. “Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the employee’s family, and everyone who knew and worked with him. Our efforts are now focused on supporting the family and our employees at the mine site, and on understanding exactly what occurred.”

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. Vale has temporarily suspended operations at its mines in Sudbury.

Editor’s Note

Vale will release more details to the media at a media conference that is being organized at Vale’s Copper Cliff Club at 29 Creighton Road in Copper Cliff on Monday January 30 at 10:30 a.m.

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For more information, contact:
 
Angie Robson – (705) 682-5202  
angie.robson@vale.com

Cory McPhee – (416) 361-7669                                   
cory.mcphee@vale.com