SUDBURY -- CTV News has confirmed with United Steelworkers 6500 that there are 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Coleman Mine in Levack.
Kevin Boyd, vice-president of the USW 6500, said the cases were confirmed through active screening, voluntary testing and contact tracing from March 12 to this weekend and involve non-union, union and contract workers.
"There is some concern around the number," Boyd told CTV News. "We have been pretty fortunate with the controls that we have in our workplaces. But the numbers have been growing in the community, and it's reflective in our workplaces as well,"
In a statement Vale said:
"We have taken every effort to contain this outbreak and have completed all contact tracing. Any individuals who were potentially exposed have been engaged by NEOMO medical for testing and are self-isolating."
The union also confirmed there have been 12 COVID cases at Creighton mine this month and they are working with Vale on enhanced controls.
"We are looking at different options in start times, and lunchroom gatherings, and line up gatherings and stuff like that. Those are some of the things the company and representatives in the plant on working on," said Boyd.
In another statement Vale said:
"The safety of our workforce remains our top priority. In addition to the significant controls already in place to minimize transmission, which include screening, physical distancing, COVID-19 testing through NEOMO, contact tracing and isolation, we have taken further steps to minimize risk."
Over the past week Vale also said it has introduced voluntary testing at Coleman mine and will be extending the safety measure to other mine sites in the coming days.
