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Emergency Preparedness and Responseto a Hazardous Material Release AlertVale in CanadaPort Colborne Refinery

Updated January 2017

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The purpose of the following presentation is to provide you

with important information on how to respond to a Vale

Hazardous Material Release Alert.

Introduction

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Port Colborne Refinery

The Port Colborne Refinery started business in 1918. It became theworlds largest Nickel Refinery, utilizing pyro-metallurgical (furnace &fire) processes.

Today it is a Cobalt / Precious Metals Refinery utilizing hydro-metallurgical (water & chemical) processes.

The hydro-metallurgical process uses chemicals such as Chlorine andSulphur Dioxide gas to extract the metals.

With the quantities of some of these chemicals, many safeguards havebeen put in place to prevent an event from occurring including anemergency preparedness plan.

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An emergency is a situation or set ofcircumstances which, if not promptlyeliminated, controlled or contained, results orcould result, in significant danger or injury topeople (including the community) and/ordamage to plant, property or the environment.

Definition of Emergency

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Here at the Port Colborne Refinery, ahazardous material release emergency couldarise from significant equipment or containerfailure.

The Port Colborne Refinery EmergencyResponse teams are well trained to ensure asafe and quick resolution to the unlikely eventof a hazardous material release.

Sensors around the plant monitor our areaatmosphere and alarm if a hazardous materialrelease is detected.

Emergency Preparedness

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Three types of audible alarms can be set off at the plant.

1) A test of the alarm takes place every Friday at 12:30 pm. This is just asingle blast. No concern for the public.

2) Two blasts, one minute interval, and two more blasts is a release that willnot effect the public outside of the plant.

3) Repeated blasts on the plant horn is a hazardous materials releaseemergency of concern to the public.

To ensure public safety, we want to suggest what you should do if anunlikely event were to occur.

Emergency Alarm

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Upon hearing this alarm, do the following:

A lways go indoorsC lose all doors and windowsT urn off furnace, air conditioners or other air intakes

Do not use the telephone unless you require immediate emergencyassistance. Stay tuned to your radio or television for informationupdates. Remain inside until an “all clear message” is broadcast andthe air horn is stopped.

Vale is committed to the safety of our employees and our neighbours

How to “ACT” in an emergency

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When a Hazardous Material Release does occur:

Besides the plant personnel responding to resolve the hazardousmaterial release, the Port Colborne Fire Department, NiagaraRegional Police and possibly EMS personnel may respond to assistwith the situation. They would provide assistance with event controland any community actions that may be required.

Note: Public safety in response to an emergency is theaccountability of the City of Port Colborne.

Accountabilities

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Hazardous Material Release All Clear

The emergency is considered All Clear once the plant has brought thesituation under control and there is no longer any potential danger to thecommunity.

The alarm will be stopped at this time.

Fire and/or police and local radio announcing the emergency has ended.

Emergency Preparedness

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You will not receive a direct communication from Vale in the event of ahazardous material release alert – logistically this will not be possible.

Do not call Vale or public emergency numbers unless urgent assistanceis required.

The company will issue a press release only once the incident is undercontrol and the circumstances surrounding the release are known.

Additional Information

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This review has been designed to give you a brief overview of theemergency response process in the event of a hazardous materialrelease alert from Vale.

If you require additional information please call 289-478-VALE(8253) oremail your questions to ontario.questions@vale.com.

Summary

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