or on the intranet mine to port · air compressors, and vacuum pumps, in the compressor room. these...
TRANSCRIPT
Winter 2011www.ironore.ca
www.ironore.ca/boutiqueor on the intranet
MERRY CHRISTMASAND HAPPYNEW YEAR !
03 People06 OurCommunities08 HealthandSafety10 Environment12 Operations14 SpecialAnnouncements
MinetoPortMine to Port is published for the employees,retirees and partners of IOC.
Holiday Greetings everyone ! As I prepared for my message in this edition of Mine to Port and reflected on the year gone by, I am truly inspired. Each of you have made a unique contribution to the success of this business.
Iwouldliketotakethistimetothankyouforyourefforts,yourneverendingfocusonsafety,butmostofall,forbeinganemployeeofIOC.Therearemanyhighlightscomingtomind(manyofwhichIhavecoveredinpreviousissuesofMinetoPort).However,inthisissue,Iwouldliketosharemythoughtsonthreethings:driving,stress,andfriendsandfamily.
Duringthistimeofyearmanyofuswillinadvertentlybeplacingourselvesatahigherriskthanatothertimesoftheyear.Wecouldbedoingthisinconsciousandunconsciousways.Astheseasonschange,webecomeexposedtonewanddifferenthazards,everythingfromnewgermstochangingweatherconditions.It’softenwhenconditionschangethatwearemostsusceptibletoaccidents;especiallyvehicle-relatedaccidents.Iencourageyoutouseextracautionatthistimeoftheyearandremembertoadaptyourdrivinghabitstothechangingweatherconditions.Theseasonalsobringslotsofopportunitiesforcelebrations,and
withthosecelebrationscomesalcohol.Unfortunately,therearethosewhoputtheirlivesandthelivesofothersinjeopardybygettingbehindthewheelofavehicleundertheinfluence.Iamaskingeachofyoutomakeacommitment–azerotolerancecommitment–tofriendsandfamilydrivingundertheinfluence.Pleaseremembertodrinkresponsiblyandcallfriendsorfamilyacabiftheyneedaride.
Theholidaysalsobringatremendousamountofstresstoeachoneofus.Thisincludessomegoodstress,butalsounfortunatelybadstresstoo.Itisimportanttoconsiderthatbothtypesofstresshavesimilarimpactsonyourbodyandyourpsyche.Thisstressmaycomefromlotsofplaces:work(therushattheend),shorteneddaylighthoursandnotenoughtimeoutside,notenoughmoney,relationshipsthataren’tgoingwell,oraChristmaspartyyoumightbepreparingfor.
Allthistosaythatpeoplemayfindthemselvesnotfullyfocusedontheirjobsastheyareeitherthinkingabouttheirupcomingplansfortheholidaysorelsejustreturningfromvacationandre-adjustingtothedemandsofwork.Iurgeyoutotakethetimetouseextracautioninyourdrivingandinyourpersonalhealthduringthisperiod.
Inclosing,IwanttotakethisopportunitytohonouroneofourcontractedemployeeswholosthislifewhileonthejobinApril,andtoletthefamilyofJamieBraceknowthatourthoughtsandprayersarewiththemandwithallofyouwhorememberthosewhoseliveshavebeenlostinworkplaceincidentsandillnessesbothhereathomeandaroundtheworld.Ourthoughtsarewithallofyou,especiallyatthistimeofyearwherethetragedyoflossfeelssomuchheavier.
Letthisbearemindertoallofusthatwemustputourhealthandsafetyaboveallelse,toensuretragedieslikethisdon’thappen.Equallyasimportant,takethetimetorestandrejuvenateforthecomingyear,andtoembracewhatevermakesyourholidayseasonmostenjoyable.Whetheritissharingagoodmealwithfriends;watchingyourchildrenmarvelatthewondersoftheseason;orsimplyenjoyingthewarmthofthewoodstoveatyourcabin–takethetimetodoit!
From the Yujnovich household to yours, I would like to personally thank each of you for your efforts in 2011 and wish you all the best this holiday season. I look forward to a safe, healthy, and productive New Year for us all !
MessagefromZoë
02 Winter 2011
PEoPlE
RightwhereshewantstobeIOC’Sfirstfemale4thclasspowerengineer–JessicaWinsor
Growing up in labrador City, Jessica Winsor knew she would not be happy working in a traditional female role. A self proclaimed ‘tomboy’, Jessica’s hobbies were hands on activities that made it clear to her that a desk job would never be a career.
Afterherhighschoolgraduation,Jessicaenrolledinthelocallyofferedminingtechnologyprogram.Herloveofhome,andthedesiretostayrootedinLabradorCity,werethedrivingforcesbehindherdecision.
Duringherthree-yearprogram,Jessicahadopportunitiestocompleteworktermsintheconcentrator,pelletplantandasahaultruckdriverinthemine.OnDecember20,2004,WinsorbeganhernewjobasaregrindattendantatIOC.After4years,Winsorsays,shewasreadyforsomethingnewandchallenging.SherequestedaleaveofabsenceandattendedtheNSCC(NovaScotiaCommunityCollege)topursueapowerengineer’strade.
Threeyearslater,in2011,JessicahasthedistinctionofbecomingIOC’sfirstfemale4thClassPowerEngineer.SaysWinsor,“It’sagreatfeeling;it’sniceknowingIcandothejobasgoodastheboys.”
4thclasspowerengineersruntheaircompressors,andvacuumpumps,inthecompressorroom.Thesecompressorsprovidepneumaticair,rangingfrom40-210PSI(poundspersquareinch),tovariousareasonsite.
Theyusethreetypesofair.Serviceairisusedtooperatepowertools,valves,andburnersaroundthepelletplant.Highpressureairisusedintheoperationoftheloadout’sgates,whichareusedforfillingorecars.Snapblow,alongwithvacuum,isusedinthefilteringprocess.
“Thejobsholdsalotofresponsibility”,saysWinsor,“Theequipmentisdangerousandneedstobecloselymonitoredandmaintained”.
Her4thclasspowerengineer’sstatuscanopenmanydifferentdoorsforJessica.Herinterprovincialticketallowshertowork,inhertrade,anywhereinCanada.Powerengineeringisnotlimitedtomining.Therearejobopportunitieswhereverthereisaboilersystemoveracertainkilowattrating;hospitalsoruniversitiesforexample.
Inthefuture,Jessicahopestogainthehoursandexperiencerequiredtocontinueadvancinginhertradetowards3rd,2nd,and1stclassengineer’sstatus.
Shehopestoencourageotherwomentogointotrades.“Wearemorethancapable”,saysWinsor.
Fornow,however,Jessicaisrightwhereshewantstobe.Sheenjoysherjob,istakingonedayatatimeandisworkingtowardsalong,lustrouscareeratIOC.
Congratulations to Jessica on your achievement and best of luck towards your future goals !
03Winter 2011
04 Winter 2011
A page of history is turning in Sept-Îles with the dismantling of the old pellet plant, concentrator and other facilities on the IoC site.
Unusedsinceitsshutdownin1982,theSept-Îlespelletplantandtheconcentratorwerebuiltintheearly70stoprocesstheoreminedatSchefferville.Bothplantswereinoperationnearlyadecadebeforebeingclosedin1982duetothecollapseoftheironoremarketandastheU.S.steelmills,whichwereIOC’smajorcustomersatthetime,requiredahigherironorequalitythanSchefferville,preferablytheoneextractedattheCarolMineinLabradorCity.In2001,IOChadinvested275million$inupgradestothepelletplantinviewofreopeningit.Butitwasfinallydecidedotherwisein2002,whenthemarketconditionshadchangeddrastically;
theplantwasnotinlineanymorewithwhatwashappeningintheindustry,includingitsinadequatesizeandobsoleteequipment.
Thedismantlingworkbeganfourmonthsago,butitwasnotuntilmid-NovemberthatEDS,thefirmmandatedtocarryoutthedismantling,hasputdowntwohugestacks.
TwootherswillbedemolishedbyDecember.Itisextensiveworkthatshouldbecompletedwithin15to18months.Tenadditionalprojectsarealsounderwaytodemolishsecondarystructuresonthesite.InJanuary,EDSwilladdressthedismantlingoftheconcentratorandthepelletplant.Theworkisestimatedat35to40million$andwillbefundedfromthesaleofequipmentandscraptobuyersaroundtheworld.
Health and safety on the worksite : a priority
Demolitionactivities,decommissioningandrehabilitationunderwayindifferentworkareasonthesiterepresentsomerisksforthosewhoarenotfamiliarwiththistypeofactivity.Asanexample:possiblefallwhenworkingatheights,fallingobjectswhenworkingatheights,chemicalresidues,stillliveservices(electricity,water),fire,movementofmachinery.
Therefore,strictHSEmeasureswereputforward.Inparticular,allvisitorsmustbeescortedatalltimesandmustnotleavetheirescortmorethan5meters.ItisforbiddenforIOCemployeesandtheirvisitorstoenterthedemolitionareaunlesstheyhavereportedtheirpresenceandobtainedpermissionfromEDS.Wearenevertoocautiousonaprojectofthismagnitude!
DismantlingofthepelletplantinSept-Îles
Removal ofasbestos
Packing Handling –Transportation
Cleaning DismantlingDemolition
!Rehabilitation
!
ACTIvITIES oN SITE
Winter 2011 05
CentraideCampaignatSept-ÎlesFall is always a busy time at IoC. The HSE Week, the employee recognition event, the Christmas party and of course the Centraide Campaign.
ToeducateemployeesandincreasetheirknowledgeofCentraide,thecampaignformathasevolvedandchangedovertheyears.Meetingsbetweenrepresentativesoforganiza-tionssponsoredbyCentraideandemployees,aboothduringtheHSEweek,throughvoluntarismofsomeemployeestoworkforafewhoursintargetedorganizations...ourcollectiveparticipationreachedthethresholdofseventythousanddollarsoverathree-yearperiod.
Thisyear,wehadtwoobjectives:$80,000(or$40000fromemployeesand$40000fromIOC)andanincreasedparticipationrateof75%.
Toachievethat,the2011campaignunfoldsovertwoperiodstoreachemployeesworkingonthesiteaswellasforlocomotiveengineers.
SinceSept-Îleshasmorethan65newemployeeshiredduringtheyear,weoptedforshortpresentationsattheweeklysafetymeetingsormeetingsatshiftbeginning.
Keep an eye on our campaign results !
FinaltotalraisedfortheCentraideCampaignin2010was$75,274.
oUR CoMMUNITIES
06 Winter 2011
MiningWeek2011Thousandsinformed,inspiredandinvolvedIt was hectic, exciting and exhilarating, as mining took the spotlight at dozens of events during Mining Week, october 30 to November 5. Through it all, IoC employees were at the centre of the action, talking up our expansion plans and contributions to provincial and national economies, and inviting young people to think about mining for their future.
Mining Week in lab CityThisyear’seventsinLabradorCityengagedtheentirecommunity,withexhibitionsandpresentationsscheduledforeverydayoftheweek.
Amongthehighlights:
y Careers@IOC,whichhostedandinspiredstudentsfromtheCollegeoftheNorthAtlantic
y Life as a Geologist,whichdrewayoungercross-sectionofstudentsfromMenihekHighSchool
y Job Application Workshop,whichansweredpotentialrecruits’questionsandhelpedthemapplyforexcitingopportunitiesatIOC
y Menihek Food Bank Challenge,whichchallengedthestudentsofMenihekHighSchooltofillbagsdonatedbyIOCwithnon-perishableitemsforthefoodbank.Menihekstudentscollectedover60bagsoffoodfortheMinisterialAssociationandIOCwillmatchtheirgenerositybydonatinganadditional$500totheMinisterialAssociationonbehalfofMenihekHighSchool.
y IOC Mall Display, whichencouragedcommunitymembersofallagestolearnaboutmininginLabradorWest.
Women in Mining Forum in St. John’sIfIOCPresidentZoëYujnovichhasn’tchangedenoughmindsaboutwomeninmining,HeatherBruce-Veitch,DirectorofExternalRelations,ishelpingtochangetherest.Heather,whowasrecentlyappointedVicePresidentoftheCanadianInstituteofMining,NewfoundlandandLabradorBranch,moderatedtheWomeninMiningForuminSt.John’s,withsimilareditionsinLabradorCityandSept-Îles.TheSt.John’sforumwasopenedbyDianaDalton,DeputyMinisterNaturalResourceswhosharedhercareerpathwithastrongemphasisonthefactthatgettinganeducationopensmanydoors.
Theforumshowcasedfivewomen,includingIOC’sownDawnHamilton,SafetyAdvisor.
Thenearly200peopleintheaudience—mostlyGrade7to12girls—heardaboutajourneythatbeganwithDawn’sgrandfatheranddad,whoworkedatIOC.
Asayoungwoman,sheneverthoughtshe’dfollowtheirfootstepsbutwhilestudyingbusinessandEnglishattheCollegeoftheNorthAtlantic,sheheardaboutaprogramthatwasaprerequisiteforworkingatIOC.Itwasanaturalfit,especiallyasitenabledDawntoremaininhercommunityandfamily.
Winter 2011 07
DawnalsonotedhowherjourneydovetailswithRioTinto’sdiversitygoals.Whilewomenrepresented14percentofmanagementand27percentofgraduateintakeacrossRioTintoin2010,thegoalistoraisethosepercentagesto20and40,respectively,by2015.
Hiredatage24,Dawn’sIOCcareerhastakenherfromProcessTechniciantoMineralProcessingOperatorandHaulTruckOperator.Followingatwo-yearcertificatefromUNB,shebecameIOC’sfirstfemaleSafetyAdvisor.
“Startfocusingonyourgoalstodaybecausetomorrowcomesquickly,”sheadvisedheraudience.“Miningprovidesendlessandequalopportunities.Itishumannaturetoresistchange.Iencourageyoutoembracechange!”
“Severalofthegirlswereontheplanerideback,”recallsDawn,“andtheywerestillprettyexcitedtolearnhowvariedminingcareerscanbe.Beforetheforum,alltheycouldimaginewasashovelanddigging.Wereallyopenedtheireyes.”
SaidHeatheraftertheevent,“We’reseeinggrowingnumbersofwomennotjustinengineeringschools,butalsoinheavyequipmentandothernon-traditionaljobs.It’sanexcitingeraforwomen…andformining.”
AspartofIOC’sbroaderefforttogetmorefemalesthinkingaboutmining,MenihekHighSchoolstudentsvisitedIOC’sofficesaspartoftheitineraryfortheTechsplorationprogram.Theprogram,whichhasalonghistoryintheprovinceandisnowinLabrador,isdesignedtogetmoreyounggirlstoconsidercareersintrades,engineeringandtechnology.AnaddedbonusforthegroupofstudentswasmeetingthenewlyappointedMinisterforIntergovernmental&AboriginalAffairswhowasmeetingatIOCthatday.
St. John’s Mineral Resources ReviewNodoubtMiningWeek’sbiggesteventwasmineralresourcesreview2011inSt.John’s,undertheauspicesoftheCanadianInstituteofMiningNLbranch.TheMinisterofNaturalResources,theHon.JeromeKennedy,welcomednearly800participants,whocametolearnmoreabouttheprovince’smulti-billiondollarmineralresourceindustry.FromNovember3to5,theynetworked,visitedmorethan60boothsandattendeddozensofexhibits,presentationsandlectures.
ItwasanoutstandingshowcaseforIOC.DonHyma,VicePresidentExpansionProjects,reflectedonhisreturntoLabradorCityaftersome30years,andhissuccessfulexpansionprojectsforRioTintoinAustralia.ReaffirmingIOC’scommitmenttosafety,hefinishedoffwithanexpansionupdateandtheGenesisProject.
Quebec / Newfoundland & labrador Mining ForumAfewweekspriortoMiningWeek,andinthespiritofsharingIOC’sstory,RollandMorier,VicePresidentFinanceandStrategy,alsotookthestageprofilingIOC’sbusinesstoaraptaudienceinSept-Îles.Rollandnotedthatthebusinessisonsolidfooting.
Hecautioned,however,thatIOCisdisadvantagedbydistancecomparedtoBrazilianandAustralianproducers,whicharefarclosertoChina.IOCproductsmusttravelsome14,500nauticalmiles—atconsiderablecost—whileAustralianproductisshippedalittleover3,000nauticalmiles.TheonlywayIOCcancompete,hetoldhisaudience,isbykeepingcostslow,qualityexceptionallyhighandbyrespondingbetterthanthecompetitiontocustomerdemand.
08 Winter 2011
6 h 30 Security
6 h 35 PPDry
6 h 45 Admin/Conc.&CentralServices
7 h 00 MineOffice
7 h 10 MMF
7 h 30 Security
7 h 35 PPDry
7 h 45 Admin/Conc.&CentralServices
8 h 00 MineOffice
8 h 30 Security
18 h 30 Security
18 h 30 PPDry
18 h 45 Admin/Conc.&CentralServices
19 h 00 MineOffice
19 h 10 MMF
19 h 30 Security
19 h 35 PPDry
19 h 45 Admin/Conc.&CentralServices
20 h 00 MineOffice
20 h 30 Security
The shuttle bus will run the following route schedule during shift change ;
HEAlTH AND SAFETY
KeepingyousafebeyondthegateIn an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all people entering ur site, an upgrade to site security has been successfully completed in labrador City.
“Iamreallypleasedwithhowsmooththisentireprocesshasgone,”saysJamieStagg,Superintendent,EmergencyServices&Security,“Ourmaingoalistokeeppeoplesafewhoareenteringoursiteandtoensurethatthepeopledrivingacrossthegateareappropriatelytrainedtodealwiththehazardsassociatedwithanindustrialsite.”
What has changed ?OnlythosewhohavereceivedsafetyinductionorGreenCardOrientationarepermittedtodriveonsite.Inaddition,childrenandpetsarenolongerpermittedonsite.
Allemployeesandcontractorswhohavebeeninductedwillbeissuedwithaphoto-identificationcardwhichwillactivatetheentrygatesallowingentryandexitfromsite.Allthoseenteringandleavingsite,includingpassengers,willberequiredtoswipetheircardatthegate.Ifyouareapassengerinavehiclepleasehandyouridentificationcardtothedriverofthevehicleandtheywillswipeyourcardatthegate.
Don’t miss the busForanyemployeeswhotakethecommunitybus,wewillbeinstallingidentificationcardreadersonthebusesandeachpersonenteringsiteviabustransportwillberequiredtoswipeontothebusbutuntilthesereadersareinstalledweaskthatyousignthelogsheetthatwillbeoneachbus.
Foranyemployeeswhoaredroppedoffandpickedupbynoninductedpersonnel(e.g.familymember,taxi,garageshuttleservice,etc.)willnowberequiredtobedroppedoffatthegate.Ashuttlebusservicehasbeenimplementedtotransportpersonnelaroundsite.Therehasbeenaheatedbusshelteratthegateareaforpeopletowaitinandwehaveaddedadditionalparkingoutsidethegatearea.
Ifyourequiretransportacrossthesiteoutsideoftheaboveschedule,pleasecall987-RIDE (7433).Weaskthatyougiveadvancednoticeofyourcurrentlocationandwhereyouneedtogoonsite.Ifthedriverdoesnotanswerthephone,pleaseleaveavoicemessage.
Pleasenotetheshuttlebusisasitebasedvehicleonlyandwillnottransportpersonneloffsite.
The shuttle bus will run between the hours of 6 : 30 am and 8 : 30 pm daily.
“Thankstoallthoseinvolvedinhelpingmakethisupgradegososmoothlyandthankstoallemployeesandcontractorsfortheircooperation,”saysJamie.
Mark Brophy, Emergency and Security Officer
When vanessa Rumbolt got the news last March, she was devastated. Type2diabeteswasherdiagnosisandknowingherfamilyhistory,Vanessaknewshehadtostartmakingsomepositivechangesinherlife.
“AtayoungageIwatchedmygrandmotherlosetwolegs,goblindandlaterdiefromthisdisease,”saysVanessa.“Attheageof56mydadwasblindinoneeyeandlosingsightintheothereye.IsthiswhatIwantformyselfandfamily?No!”
Atthetimeofherdiagnosis,Vanessasaysshewasoverweightandspentlittletimeexercising,butthatwasallabouttochange.“Iwasplacedonmedication,butIknewitwasmychoiceforhowlong.Itwastimetoputonefootinfrontoftheotherandtakeaction,”shesays.“Indevelopingmynewlifestyle,Istartedmakinghealthyfoodchoicesandwalkingeveryday.”
Vanessa’sdiagnosissparkedanewenergyinsideherthathastakenherfromthehaultruckinLabradorCitytocompletingahalfmarathoninSydney,NovaScotialastSeptember.
“ByMayIfoundmyselfrunningratherthanwalking,”shesays.“InJuneIwastakenoffmymedicationandI’velostatotalof60pounds.”
Vanessaisproudofheraccomplishments,butsaysitdidnotcomeeasy.
“Ittooklotsofhardworkanddeterminationandsupportfromfamilyandfriends,”shesays.“
ThehealthylifestyleIhavefosteredgivesmemoreenergyandbetterrelationshipswhichultimatelyhelpsmyfamily,mywork,andeverythingIdo.”
Vanessaaddsthatahealthylifestyleisn’tcomplicated,it’sassimpleaslettingyourbodymove.
“IusedtofindithardtostartandnowIfindithardtostop,”shesays.
VanessaplanstorunwithteamdiabetesinHalifaxinMay2012andherdeterminationtobeatthisdiseaseisaninspirationtousall.That’swhyshehasbeenchosenasoneofourchampionsfordiabetesawarenessatIOC.WaytogoVanessa!
Get the facts about diabetesDiabetesisachronicconditionthatstemsfromthebody’sinabilitytosufficientlyproduceand/orproperlyuseinsulinwhichthebodyneedstousesugarasanenergysource.Diabetescanleadtoseriouscomplicationsbutthosewhohavediabetescantakestepstocontrolthediseaseandlowertheriskofcomplications.Therearethreemaintypesofdiabeteshowevernineoutoftenpeoplehavetype2.
Type 1 y wherethebodymakes littleornoinsulin.
Type 2 y wherethebodymakesinsulin butcannotuseproperly.
Gestationaly wherethebodyisnotableto properlyuseinsulinduring pregnancy.Thistypegoesaway afterthebabyisborn.
Severalfactorscontributetoaperson’sriskofdevelopingdiabetes.Wedonotknowtheexactcauseoftype1;howevergeneticfactorsarebelievedtobeinvolved.Riskfactorsthatcontributetotype2include:
y Beingoverweighty Advancedagey Physicalinactivityy Highbloodpressure and/orcholesteroly Historyofgestationaldiabetesy Familyhistory
“Earlydiagnosisofdiabetesisextremelyimportant,”saysColleenRixon,IOC’sSuperintendent,OccupationalHygiene.“Theearlierdiabetesisdiagnosed,thesoonerapersoncantakestepstomanageitandtopreventordelaycomplications.Insomecases,apersoncanhavetype2diabetesbutnothaveanysignsandsymptoms.Regularcheck-upswithyourhealthcareproviderareanimportantfactorinpreventingormanagingdiabetes.”
________
For more information on signs and symptoms of diabetes, and how you can prevent or reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, contact a member of the occupational Health team in your area.
OnefootinfrontoftheotherIOCemployeechampionsdiabetesawarenessbysharingherstory
Winter 2011 09
10 Winter 2011
ManonBeauchemin,VicePresident-ExternalRelationsandCorporateAffairs,IOCandSergeDupont,DeputyMinister,NaturalResourcesCanada
TowardsSustainableMiningPerformanceAwardsEach year the Mining Association of Canada recognizes member companies and their facilities for their responsible approach to social, economic and environmental performance. This year IoC was one of nine companies who met or exceeded best practice benchmarks and was awarded a total of seven awards for Towards Sustainable Mining Performance (TSM).
“Thisissuchahugeaccomplishmentandreallyspeakstothecommitmentofouremployeestoensuringwereduceourimpactontheenvironmentandthecommunitieswhereweworkandlive,”saysPatrickLauzière,ManagerofEnvironmentandSustainableDevelopment.
IOCwaspresentedwiththefollowingawards:
y Corporatecrisismanagement planning(AchievementofExcellence)
Sept-Îles
y Crisismanagementplanning (AchievementofExcellence)
y Energyuseandgreenhousegas emissionsmanagement(Award)
y Externaloutreach(Award)
labrador City
y Crisismanagementplanning (AchievementofExcellence)
y Energyuseandgreenhousegas emissionsmanagement(Award)
y Externaloutreach(Award)
TheawardsarebasedupontheTowardsSustainableMiningassessmentsystemthatworksasfollows:Forthreeelements–tailingsmanagement,energyuseandGHGemissionsmanagement,andexternaloutreach–facilitiesareassessedagainsta5-levelratingsystem.
Forcrisismanagementplanning,bothheadofficesandfacilitiesassesstheirperformanceagainstcriteriabyansweringyes/no(metrequirements/didnotmeetrequirements).Headofficesorfacilitiesreceiveawardsonlyiftheyanswer“yes”toallcrisismanagementplanningindicators.
TobeeligibleforaTowardsSustainableMiningPerformanceAward,afacility’s2010TSMresultsmustbeexternallyverified.
ENvIRoNMENT
“ Just as safety is part of our DNA, I want sustainability to also become second nature at IoC. ”
Following senior leadership roles at the Mining Association of Canada and Nature Canada, Julie Gelfand arrived at IoC in october with a wealth of experience and a passion for the challenges ahead. The title is a new one at IoC, signaling our strong commitment to the environment and corporate social responsibility.
IndeedJulie’schiefgoal,shesays,istomakeIOCanindustryleader¨wehaveolderassets,butthereisstillawaytomineforironore,minimizeenvironmentalimpactsandmaximizebenefitstosociety¨.
Toaccomplishthat,Julie’ssetthreeshort-termgoals.Firstandmostobvious,ensurethatIOCcomplieswithalllawsandregulations.Second,she’ssethersightsonenhancingandintegratingtheenvironmentteam’soperationstobettercontributetooverallbusinessoperations.Andfinally,focusourenergywherewewanttobeindustryleaders;shepointstoourspectaculartailingssitereclamationasanexample
Askedtociteobstaclestohervision,Julierespondswithcharacteristicoptimism:“Idon’tseeanyobstacles,”shesaid.“Ifwestayfocusedonobjectiveswe’llreachourgoals.Inthisrespect,IthinkZoe’sleadershipsetstherightexampleandtone.”
A people personRaisedinMontreal,JuliemovedwithherfamilytoOttawainhermid-teens,whereshestillcallshome.Herfirst“realjob”waswithParksCanada,bringingthenationalparkexperiencetopeoplepreventedbydisabilitiesandotherreasonsfromvisiting.
JulieisproudofheradvocacyworkatNatureCanada,whereshespearheadedeffortstoshapepublicpolicy,writelawsprotectingendangeredspecies,identifyalltheImportantBirdAreasinCanadaandcreateseveralnewnationalparks.NatureCanadaisapartnerinBirdlifeInternationalwhichhashadapartnershipwithRioTintoforthepasttenyears.
However,Juliesaysherproudestaccomplishmentisdevelopingandmentoringpeoplethroughouthercareer.Sheremainspassionateaboutwildnature—it’sstillafavouritewaytospendadaywithherfamily.But,ashercareerindicates,she’sequallydevotedtohumannature.
JulieGelfand:eternaloptimistNewVPofenvironmentandcorporatesocialresponsibilityaccentuatesthepositive
Winter 2011 11
12 Winter 2011
As any mine goes deeper, water will flow into the pit from the surrounding water table. This water presents many challenges to the project from drill and blast, production, and to the environment. The dewatering team at IoC are no strangers to these challenges.
LucePitiscurrentlybelowthegroundwatertableandgoingdeeperwhichresultsinmorewaterenteringthepit.Groundwaterisn’ttheonlysourceofwatertoLuce;itisalsoconnectedtosurfacewaterbodiessuchasLuceLakeandMagyCreek.
“Withsomuchwater,onewouldthinkwellscouldbedrilledanywhereandbeproductive,”saysMichaelMuggridge,ChiefGeologistatIOC.“However,wehavelearnedthehardwaythatit’snotthatsimple.”
ThewaterflowintoLuceisstructurallydependant.Waterflowsthroughjointsets,shearzones,geologycontacts,beddingplanesandweatheredzones.Thesefeaturesarecomplicatedwithinthepropertyandthismakesitdifficulttochoosethebestlocationtointersectwaterzones.
Despitethischallenge,sevendewateringwellsarenowoperatinginandaroundLucePit.
But,thechallengesdonotstopthere.Thewellsalsohavetobepoweredfromthepitlines.Thistaskturnedouttobeacomplicatedissue,mainlyduetothepowersupplybeingunreliableandtheelectricaldesignbeingtoosensitiveforthepower.AsaresultthepumpstrippedanexcessivenumberoftimeswhichultimatelycausedpumpfailureandwaterlevelstoriseinLucePit.Withhigherwaterlevels,
itismorelikelythewaterthatisbeingpumpedwillhavehigherammoniaandsedimentconcentrations.BothofthesecanbeharmfultotheenvironmentandiswhyallmineeffluenthastobecompliantwiththeregulationsasenforcedbyEnvironmentCanada.
overcoming the challenges“Despiteallthechallenges,wehavebeenabletocelebratesomesuccesseswithLucedewatering,”saysMichael.“Thisyear,theprojectteamdecidedtotrysomethingdifferent.Ratherthankeepingthewellsoutsidethepit,itwasdecidedtoputwellsinsidethepit.Mostofthewaterwaspoolingthereandcreatingproblems,sotherewasn’tanyharmintrying.”
GoingwiththeflowLucepitdewateringteamcelebratessuccess
oPERATIoNS
Winter 2011
InMarchtwoin-pitwells,oneinthenorthandtheotherinthesouthofLuceMain,werecommissioned.Itwasanimmediatesuccess.Puddlesandditchesclosetothewellsweredryingup,andthevolumeinthesumpswasdecreasingtothepointofpumpssurging.However,theystilldidnothaveasbigofanimpactonLuceMainasexpected.Thewatertablewasstillabovebenchgradeandcreatingproblemsforproduction.Thedecisionwasthenmadetoconstructtwoadditionalin-pitwells.ThesehaverecentlybeencommissionedandthewaterlevelsinLuceMainarenowbelowthehighpitfloorandarestartingtogobelowbenchlevel.
AnotherhighlightforthisyearisahydrogeologicalmodelofLucewasbroughton-site.ThismodeluseswatertablemeasurementsthatareobtainedfromourpiezometernetworkandpumpingdatafromthewellsandsumpsandsimulatestheeffectthedewateringprogramhasonLuce.Itcanalsobeusedtohelpdeterminehighinflowareasandpotentiallocationsforwells.
Inadditiontothesesuccesses,therehavebeensuccesseswiththeelectricalportionsofdewatering.Thepumpstarterselectricalsystemshavebeenretro-fittedandthepumpsarenowrunningmorereliably.Thereisnowadedicatedsubstationtopowerthewells.TheamountofwaterbeingpumpedfromLucePit,includingsumps,eachweekisapproximately87.1Milliongallons(329Millionlitres).Thisisequivalenttoapproximately132Olympicsizedswimmingpools.Thisisanapproximateincreaseof17Milliongallonsperweekfromthistimelastyear.
Asuccessfuldewateringprogramrequiresmanydifferentmethodsworkingtogether.Thisisthesameforasuccessfuldewateringteam.
“Ithasbeenalargeteameffortinvolvingmanypeoplefromdifferentareasofthecompany,suchasMineOperations,TechnicalServices,Engineering,ElectricalGroupandmanyoutsideconsultantsandcontractors,togettowherethedewateringeffortistoday,”saysSarahButt,HydrogeologicalEngineerinTraining.“Itcanonlygetbetterfromhere.”
Going forwardTherearetwomorewellstobecommissionedbytheendoftheyear,onein-pitandoneex-pit.Allpumpsusedinthepit,bothinwellsandsumps,willberemotelymonitoredbytheendoftheyear.
Theprojectteamhavechangedtheirstrategytobecomemoreproactivefordewatering.Therewillbemorestructuralassessmentthroughdiamonddrillingtoobtainabetterunderstandingofthewaterbearingstructuresbeforeconstructingpilotholesandproductionwells.
ContinuingtodewaterLucewon’tbeeasy;itwillstillhaveitschallenges.
“It’sanon-goingprocess,”saysSarah.“But,asdemonstrated,thedewateringteamisupforthesechallenges.Withtheplansforexpansion,dewateringwillremainpriorityandthedewateringteamisinbettershapeforthefuturebyapplyingwhatthey’velearnedinLucetootherpits.”
13
14 Winter 2011
SPECIAl ANNoUNCEMENTS
JulieCusson-Director-CommunicationsandExternalRelations,Quebec
ToddStubbert,AnalystIS&T AssiaLonglade,CommunicationsAdvisorandwebmaster
Since November 21, a new communication tool is available to all employees who have an email address. Phase I of the Mine to Port.net has been put online and information is now at your fingertips.
“TheneedforanIntranethasbeenidentifiedforawhile.Itbecameessentialtohaveatoolthatwouldconsolidateinformationthatisexchangedindifferentwaysinthecompany.ThecommunicationsteamhasworkedcloselywiththeITteamtostartthefirstphasewherethecontentwouldbeaccessibletoallemployees,“saysJulieCusson,Director-CommunicationsandExternalRelations,Quebec.
What is an Intranet ?AnintranetisaprivatecomputernetworkthatusesInternetprotocols,networkconnectivitytosecurelyshareinformationinanorganizationwithitsemployees.
Why an Intranet ?EverytimeyouopenInternetExplorer,thehomepageoftheIntranetisthedefaultscreenshowingallthelatestnews.Thisgivesyouaccesstothelatestjobpostings,weeklyHSEbarometers,theRioTintonewsandothers.Thanks
tothissinglesourceofinformation,wealsoreducethedailyfloodofemails.
“Whenweplannedthedevelopmentofthistool,itwascriticalthatouremployeeswhodon’thaveaccesstoacomputerintheirdailyworkcouldconnecttotheintranetexternally.MostofthemhavecomputersathomeandoncethenewserverwillbeinstalledtheywillbeabletosecurelyconnecttoMinetoPort.netinlateDecember.Instructionswillbesentateachemployee’shome“saidJulie.
The next stepsAssiaLonglade,CommunicationsAdvisorandwebmasterofthenewIntranetsite,workedcloselywithToddStubbert,(Analyst,IS&T)todevelopthesite.“DuringthemonthofDecember,Iwilltraincontentmanagerssotheycanaddandupdateinformationfromtheirrespectivedepartments.Itisveryimportantthateachdepartmenttakestheownershipofitssection,becauseaneffectiveintranetisonethatisconstantlyupdatedandbecomesareferencetoolinthebusiness.WehavealsoselectedtheSharePointplatformbecauseitiseasytouse-noneedtobeanITspecialist,“saidTodd.
PhaseIIoftheIntranet,whichwillstartinthefirstquarterof2012,willdevelopsomemoreadvancedfeatures.“Werelyonfeedbackfromuserstoimprovenavigationandcontent,”saidAssia,“pleasesendusyoursuggestionsandcommentsbyemailatintranet@ironore.ca.”
IOC’sIntranetAmineofinformationeveryday!
15Winter 2011
Usually this time of year people tend to be a little more giving, but IoC employees are keeping the spirit of giving all year long. Here are just a couple of great examples !
Overtimelunchescomingtositeincludedyogurtandfruitandalotofitwasgoingintothegarbage.HarryHollettfromtheconcentratorwenttooccupationalhygieneandaskedifitwouldbepossibletocollectthis
foodanddonateittotheschoolstogotochildrenwhodidnothaverecess.Occupationalhygienethoughtitwasagreatideaandprovidedhimwithcoolerstokeepthefoodpreserveduntilthenextdaywhenhewoulddelivertotheschool.Harrydelivershealthysnackstothelocalschool(APLow).Thefruitiscutupattheschoolandsharedbetweentheclasses.Theyogurtgoestochildrenthatdonothaveorforgettheirrecess.
Anotherexampleinthenameofgivinginvolvestheemployeesattheconcentratorcollectingrecyclables.Theyhaveanaccountatthegreendepot,andannuallyatChristmastime,donatethismoneytotheministerialassociationandIOCmatchestheamount.
Congratstotheemployeesinvolvedinthesetwogreatinitiatives.Inthespiritofgivingyouhaveoutdoneyourselves!
________
If you know of more stories like these, we would love to hear them. Email jeanette.o’[email protected] or call 709-944-8400 ext 8507.
Santa’sHelpers
ZoëYujnovich,ourPresident,willbefeaturedonthecoverofthewintereditionofPremièresenAffaires,aFrenchbusinessmagazinewhosemissionistopromotewomeninbusiness,offeraseriousandeffectivetoolfornetworking,andprovideareliablesourceofinformationoncurrenttopics.OnNovember28th,acocktailreceptionwashostedbythePremièresenAffairesmagazinewhereZoëgaveanexclusivepublicinterview.
Terminals owned by IoC, Cliffs Natural Resources-Eastern Canada, Pointe-Noire division, and Esso have joined the Green Marine environmental program. Aluminerie Alouette is also becoming a member in the “ partner ” category.TheannouncementmeanstheSept-ÎlesPortAuthorityisnowthefirstportinNorthAmericawithallitspartners,includingterminalsandusers,participatingintheGreenMarineenvironmentalprogram.GreenMarineisavoluntaryenvironmentalprogramfortheCanadianandAmericanmarineindustrywithmorethan140members,includingmorethan60participants(shipowners,ports,terminals,andshipyards).
Didyouknow?Sept-Îles becomes first N.A. port with total Green Marine support
Mine to Port Theteam:
Julie Cusson, Communications and External Relations, QuebecJeanette o’Keefe, Internal CommunicationsPascale Gauthier, EnvironmentBarry Hillier, EngineeringSean Hiscock, Health and SafetyHugues lapierre, TerminalJudith leclerc, Business ImprovementNicolas Mercier, IPTKrista Norman, External Relations
Glenn Penney, Pellet PlantRandy Philpott, Central ServicesCarl Poirier, EngineeringNatalie Rouleau, Internal CommunicationsMeghan Saville, External RelationsChantil Strangemore, IS&TRichard Whittington, Mining OperationsJudith leclerc, Business Improvement
Publications Mail :Account # 1006379 • Agreement # 40005861
Iron Ore Company of Canada, 1 Retty Street, Sept-Îles (Québec) G4R 3C7
IOC’s E-boutiqueIS OPEN !What the store offers ?y IOCPromotionalItemsy Apparel[ fall and winter items now available ]y Officesuppliesy Environmentallyfriendlyitems
BE SURE To CHECK oUT THE BoUTIQUE to see all it has to offer
IronOreCompanyofCanadaProduced by the Communications Departmentwww.ironore.ca • jeanette.o’[email protected] • Tel. : 709 944-8400 ext 8507Editing : Naïka Communications inc.
www.ironore.ca/boutiqueor on the intranet
InmemoriamWeextendourdeepest
sympathytothefamiliesof
Alfred Kennedy, May16,2011Tony D’Ardes, August18,2011Leo Taylor, August18,2011Patrick Hepditch, August19,2011Hubert Whitten, August19,2011Jacques Dupéré, August25,2011Wayne Price, August28,2011Claude Lebel, September4,2011
Morris Reid, September7,2011Berrick Williams, September8,2011Georges Ducas, September18,2011Clifford Sweezy, September28,2011Honoré Landry, October28,2011Yvan Perry, November2,2011Yvon Toutant, November9,2011Rupert Kelly, November16,2011