Teck in multi-million recycling boost

USA – One of the North America’s largest precious metal mining and recycling companies is extensively expanding two of its operations in British Columbia, Canada.

Teck Resources will invest US$ 210 million at its Trail operations in order to significantly increase its capacity to recycle e-waste, and also US$ 475 million in a copper mill modernisation project at Highland Valley Copper. ‘These projects will improve the long-term viability of two of our key operations,’ says Don Lindsay, Teck’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The No 4 Furnace Project at Trail includes the construction of a new slag fuming furnace and settling furnace that will integrate into the existing lead smelting process. Construction on the project will begin in 2012 with completion scheduled for 2014. Mr Lindsay comments: ‘Last year, we recycled just over 13 000 tonnes of e-waste at our Trail operations, and this project will significantly increase our capacity to recycle end-of-life electronic components.’

The 40-year-old mill at Highland Valley Copper will be modernised to extend its life to match that anticipated for the mine itself. The project is also expected to increase mill throughput by approximately 10% and copper recoveries by approximately 2%. Construction will begin immediately, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.