Sources have told Greater Sudbury Online that RCMP and Environment Canada attended the offices of Vale in Copper Cliff on Thursday.
We're told that officials reviewed and seized several documents and that employee computers, documents and their access keycards were taken as they we're coming and leaving the building.
Angie Robinson, Manager of Corporate and Aboriginal Affairs (Ontario) confirmed by email "Environment Canada was on-site yesterday collecting information related to alleged infractions under the Fisheries Act that allegedly occurred in 2012.Vale is cooperating fully in providing the information required. As this matter is now under investigation, we are unable to comment further."
Robinson provided an additional statement this afternoon saying, "Environment Canada was on-site yesterday collecting information related to alleged 2012 violations under the Fisheries Act and, according to their customary investigation practice, collected this information pursuant to a warrant. Vale cooperated fully in providing the information required, and Environment Canada is no longer on our site. There has been no impact to our operations."
"The matter under investigation never posed a threat to health and safety in our community. When the issue that is presently the subject of investigation was discovered in 2012, in communication with government regulators, Vale immediately undertook measures to address it. We believed then, and believe now, that our actions were appropriate and responsible."
"As this issue is now under investigation, Vale is unable to comment further."
We have emailed Environment Canada and the RCMP and await response.
We'll update this story as more information becomes available.