Rio de Janeiro, June 18, 2020 - Vale S.A. ('Vale') informs that it has moved from care and maintenance into a planned maintenance period at the Voisey's Bay Mine in Labrador, Canada as a first step to resuming operations in early July. This includes restarting critical path activities related to the Voisey's Bay Mine Expansion Project.
The planned return to production follows a period of three months of monitoring progress and events associated with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Production is expected to resume in early July and to reach full capacity by early August.
In line with World Health Organization (WHO) protocols to test, remove, track and treat positive or suspicious cases, Vale is partnering with a private testing lab in Newfoundland & Labrador to provide extensive PCR testing of all employees entering the site. The enhanced testing capacity enables the early identification, tracing and stopping of the spread of any potential COVID-19 cases. There have been no cases of COVID-19 to date at site.
The ability to mass test is in addition to the robust screening measures currently in place and offers greater knowledge and transparency of the number of people who may have had contact with the coronavirus, allowing for immediate action and avoiding large-scale infection. In planning to resume operations, the company consulted extensively with critical stakeholders in government, Indigenous communities and public health authorities, seeking advice and support. That engagement will continue through the process of making the testing lab operational and realizing the benefits of mass testing at site.
Vale remains firm in its commitment to the safety of its people and the communities in which it operates and will continue to consult and cooperate with local health authorities to establish world-class initiatives in the fight against COVID-19.
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Vale SA published this content on 18 June 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 18 June 2020 12:31:03 UTC