Committed to Our Employees

In 2003, some 1,500 people were working on all aspects of the Voisey's Bay project, including more than 1,000 people supporting construction activities at the mine and concentrator site in Labrador. The construction camp provides capacity for approximately 750 people. In Labrador, construction workers are employed by contractors installing the mine and concentrator infrastructure, including a road network, a deepwater port facility, an airstrip and an accommodation complex that will house our permanent workforce.

When the project gets underway, the fly-in/fly-out facility will be a home away from home, providing employees with accommodation and recreational facilities.

“Work-Ready”

“Our biggest challenge is to be work-ready when actual operations get underway,” says Tom Paddon, VBNC Manager, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. With that in mind, VBNC has been using the construction phase as a means of assessing the potential workforce and providing training opportunities to ensure that the company will have the skilled workforce it needs when operation actually commences. The details of these initiatives are to be found in the Aboriginal Relations section of this report.

Encouraging a Supportive Workplace

As well as ensuring workers have the right skill sets, VBNC has been using the construction phase to make sure that present and future employees have the right mindset regarding cultural sensitivity and on-the-job safety.

“To ensure that we create a welcoming, supportive workplace, we aim to provide as many employees on site as possible with an opportunity to participate in a cultural sensitivity seminar,” says Paddon. “Designed and delivered by both Innu and Inuit trainers, the program raises awareness about aboriginal customs and values.”

Health and Safety

Safety is a prime concern for VBNC. Whether employed by the company or contractor, all new arrivals must complete orientation within the first few hours of setting foot at the site. The process acquaints workers with general camp rules, makes them aware of health and safety policies, and sets out the role each individual has in keeping the workplace safe.

During 2002, over 300,000 hours were worked at the site on road building, blasting and construction without a single lost-time injury. In 2003, the scope of activities at the project was broadened to include construction at the mine and concentrator in Labrador and at the demonstration plant in Argentia. In addition, the hydromet mini-pilot plant began operating. Overall, some 1.28 million person-hours were worked and, regrettably there were four lost-time injuries.

Medical advice and attention is available at the construction site’s Health Centre, which provides emergency care and walk-in services. Four registered nurses work in the medical services division and two are on duty at all times, 24 hours a day.