By Stew Kernan

Vale has responded to the charges laid by the Ministry of Labour in connection with the deaths of two miners at the Stobie Mine last June.

For Immediate Release

SUDBURY, May 31, 2012 – Vale today released the following statement regarding charges issued by the Ontario Ministry of Labour this afternoon under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. The charges stem from the Ministry’s investigation into the deaths of Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram at Stobie Mine in June 2011.

“We have received and are in the process of reviewing the charges served by the Ministry of Labour stemming from the tragic deaths of Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram in June 2011. Vale has been charged with nine counts and a staff employee has been charged with six counts under the Act.

As this is a very serious matter, we need to consider the charges very carefully before we determine how we will proceed. Until that time, and as this is now before the court system, we will not be commenting further on this matter.

Our own investigation concluded that there were a number of factors contributing to the tragic deaths of Jason and Jordan. As a result, a plan of action, including more than 30 recommendations, is being implemented to put control measures in place to address the contributing factors identified through our investigation.

The pain is still very real for everyone at Vale, but most of all the families, friends and co-workers who knew Jason and Jordan well. As we consider the legal aspects of this matter, our primary focus will remain on doing everything in our power to ensure a tragedy like this never repeats itself.”

By Stew Kernan

The Ministry of Labour has laid a total of 15 charges against Vale and one individual in connection with the deaths of two miners last year.

Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram were killed by a run of muck underground at the Stobie Mine last June 8th.

The charges fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The individual charged was not named.

The first court appearance is scheduled for August 14th.

Here is the list of charges:

Nine charges have been laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act against Vale Canada Limited as a result of the investigation into a double fatality at the Stobie Mine in Sudbury.  The particulars of the charges are as follows:

• · The accused failed to ensure that workplaces in the Stobie mine at the 2400, 2450, and/or 2600 level were kept free from accumulation or flows of water which might endanger workers in the area.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of preventing the movement of material through an ore pass while hazardous conditions existed.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that a transfer gate on an ore pass could be operated and monitored from a safe location.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of maintaining the drain holes at the 2400 level of the Stobie Mine.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that water, slimes, and other wet material was not dumped into the #7 Ore Pass at the 2600 level of the Stobie Mine.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that its procedure “Wet Control Instruction for Pulling Wet Chute / Ore Pass” was followed at the 3715 Ore Pass and the #7 Ore Pass at the Stobie Mine.

• · The accused failed to provide instruction and supervision on the accumulation of water in an ore pass to the deceased workers.

In addition, charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act have been laid against an individual

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of preventing the movement of material through an ore pass while hazardous conditions existed.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that water, slimes, and other wet material was not dumped into the #7 Ore Pass at the 2600 level of the Stobie Mine.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that the employer’s procedure “Wet Control Instruction for Pulling Wet Chute / Ore Pass” was followed at the 3715 Ore Pass and the #7 Ore Pass at the Stobie Mine.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that the underground workplaces under his supervision were kept free from accumulation or flows of water which endangered workers in the area.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of guarding against an accumulation of water in the 3715 Ore Pass of Stobie Mine.

• · The accused failed to take the reasonable precaution of controlling the flow of water in areas under his supervision.

By Stew Kernan

Some good news for campers…the Ministry of Natural Resources has lifted the Restricted Fire Zone for the Northeast.

The MNR’s Lindsay Marks says there has been enough precipitation to reduce the overall fire hazard.

Meantime…the Fire Ban has been lifted in Greater Sudbury, but there could still be bans in effect in other communities.

Greater Sudbury Fire Services is urging residents to be extremely cautious if you do have a fire.

So far there have been 380 fires during the 2012 fire season…many caused by humans and many near populated areas.

48,874 hectares of land has been burned.

A fire ban remains in effect in Timmins where a number of fires are still burning.

Restricted Fire Zone lifted for the Northeast and Fire Ban lifted in Greater Sudbury.

By Angela Gemmill

Over the next four years 4000 new jobs are expected to be created in the Sudbury region.

That’s according to an outlook from Economists with BMO Bank of Montreal, who say our currently strong economy will continue on that track.

The prediction is forecasted due to heavy investments expected from the mining industry (Vale & Cliffs).

Northern Ontario BMO Commercial Banking Manager, Steve DeMarco, says investments in the local mining sector will create a ripple effect elsewhere across Sudbury.

The 4000 new jobs are expected to help grow our local population and increase demand for real estate.

Over the next few years, BMO has $10-billion in credit available across Canada for businesses to use to finish development, expand operations or purchase new equipment.

By Angela Gemmill

A Bylaw Enforcement Officer with the City of Greater Sudbury faces Extortion, Breach of Trust and Influence Peddling charges after a complaint came into police this month.

Greater Sudbury Police say the suspect allegedly used his municipal position for personal gain and allegedly accepted a quantity of cash for his services.

Forty-two-year-old John Ryan was arrested yesterday.

By Matt Harris

Cliffs Natural Resources held an open house in Capreol yesterday to answer questions residents had about the planned processing plant to be built in the community.

Ward 7 City Councillor Dave Kilgour says the community reaction has been mostly positive and he expects many surrounding communities to see benefits from the development.

He feels there will be a resurgence in Capreol, as well as a positive impact for neighbouring Garson, and the valley as well as the rest of Sudbury when the smelter goes ahead.

Several town resident who were at the open house thinks this is a positive move that will allow Capreol to thrive.

Many are excited about the new jobs expected to be created when the processing plant gets up and running.

Cliffs plans to open the plant in 2015 and is currently doing environmental assessments of the area.

By: Lynn Bulloch

A high profile Liberal MP was in Sudbury last night, but his visit was more personal than political.
Justin Trudeau — son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau– was the keynote speaker at a scholarship fundraiser for N’Swakamok Alternative School.

Operating inside the Friendship Centre downtown, N’Swakamok helps First Nations students complete high school with unique one-on-one academic and personal support.

21- year old Christina Kozeyah is from Wikwemikong. She is on track to graduate with her grade 12 diploma in January.  She says if it weren’t for this school, her future would look bleak – with few options besides a life on social assistance.  Now she plans to attend college and university.

Many N’Swakamok students are single parents struggling with financial and personal issues like abuse or addiction.  The scholarship funds will help students succeed in school, and in life.

(N’Swakamok Coordinator Kelly-Lee Assinewe, MP Justin Trudeau, student Christina Kozeyah and event organizer Gerry Lougheed, Jr.)

By Stew Kernan

The “Help Wanted” sign is up at Vale.

The local mining giant is looking to hire more than 40 engineers for it’s Sudbury operations in a wide variety of areas including mining, civil and mechanical engineering.

Also needed…miners, geologists, geophysicists, supervisors, surface plant operators and trades people.

It’s part of the company’s $3.4 billion investment in Sudbury by the end of 2015 that will include the hiring of more than 400 people by the end of the year.

The goal is aimed at re-building and modernizing assets, reducing emissions and extending the life of existing mines.

By Angela Gemmill

There are more seniors in Greater Sudbury than there were five years ago and it’s the city’s largest growing demographic.

Statistics Canada released its 2011 census data recently which shows 16% of the local population are over the age of 65.

That is an almost 10% increase from the numbers compiled in 2006.

Also of note, the local population of children is dwindling with those aged 14 and under making up 15% of the population, a drop of 6% from five years before.

The figures for Greater Sudbury’s working age population (15-64) stayed the same at 68.3%.

By Matt Harris

If the Market Square Renewal Advisory committee has its way Market Square will open for 2013 at the C.P. Rail building on Elgin Street.

The committee recommended the site across from the Sudbury Arena to city council last night

Dr. Darren Stinson of the city’s Development Corporation Board says the committee compared the site to a number of others in the downtown area and decided this was the best.

City Councilor Dave Kilgour says that while he supports the location the city should have a back up plan to ensure that Market Square will be operating in 2013 as promised.
The city is currently in negotiations to purchase the building.

The current location of Market Square will be the future home of Laurentian University’s School of Architecture.