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’keefe@ironore.ca 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’keefe@ironore.ca • 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