THANK YOU: Vale’s Steve Wood praises local Sudbury suppliers

ONTARIO - In a recent presentation to the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Sector, Steve Wood, Vale's VP mining and milling North Atlantic operations, thanked the local industry for its expertise and commitment to projects at the company's properties nearby.

Wood pointed out that last year, Vale spent $133 million on planned maintenance, including the rebuild of the No.2 smelter furnace, 70% of which was spent locally. That is just the beginning. The company has made a commitment to invest $3.4 billion over the next five years in the Sudbury Basin. Local supplies will reap the benefits.

Wood's entire speech can be read at the Republic of Mining, www.RepublicOfMining.com/2011/08/11/vale-steve-wood-speech-to-sudbury-area-mining-supply-and-service-sector-samssa-august-9-2011/