Vale celebrates its 60th anniversary in Thompson this year, with events for their employees this Saturday and Sunday. Ryan Land, Manager of Corporate Affairs and Organizational Development, has more about the company’s and the city’s beginnings.
“We’re celebrating the 60th year of the discovery of the ore body that lead to the city of Thompson and our Manitoba operations as we know them. In 1956, we signed an agreement with the Province of Manitoba and that lead to the development of our operations, the development of the ore body and, of course, the beginning of the City of Thompson which was named for our then CEO and Chairman, Dr. J. F. Thompson.”
The celebration this week includes events for the employees of Vale, as well as for all residents of Thompson. Here Land outlines the plans for the weekend.
“We have two days of events for our employees and their families and they take place over June 18th and 19th. On the 18th we’ll be at the TRCC. Entertainment, music, food, all sorts of activities. We’ll be giving our employees a commemorative gift at that time as well. And then on Sunday, we’ll be over at the Heritage North Museum. The INCO annex is a display we have there.”
Land also talks about the event open to the general public.
“We do have on Sunday night, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra is coming to Thompson. And in recognition of our 60th, Vale has sponsored that event and they’ll be doing a community concert at the Letkemann at 7:30 Sunday night. And, we’ve sort of recommended that there be a suggested donation of $10 per family. All of the proceeds will be going to the R.D Parker Music Students Association.”
In 60-years of operations in Thompson, Vale has had some positive impact on the community. Ryan Land, Manger of Corporate Affairs and Organizational Development, shares one the company is particularly proud of.
“Our journey toward Zero Harm has been the most important indicator for our milestones over the years. The most important work we do is send our employees home safely every day. And, we continue to get ever closer to Zero Harm. Many will know that we achieved a milestone in February of one year without a lost-time injury for the first time in the history of our operations.”
For more on the 60th anniversary of Vale’s Manitoba Operations listen to Thompson Today on 102.9 CHTM at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.
