Mining and Smelting

 

HIGHLY RESPECTED GLOBAL MINING, SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY

Teck Cominco Metals Limited is a world leader in the production of zinc, lead and silver from its metallurgical operations in Trail. The unique, fully integrated process enables the production of a wide variety of specialty metals and chemicals that are in demand in the technically oriented global marketplace. The billion dollar modernization program implemented at Trail Operations over the last 20 years has been an investment not only in base metal production, but has enhanced the capacity of the operations to grow value-added opportunities in specialty metals production. Sophisticated technology, upgraded facilities, and a highly skilled work force demonstrate why Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. is a significant contributor to the BC economy.

 

Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. is continuing development of high-tech, value-added products. Several products have been developed for the semiconductor, plastics, construction, electronics and many other industries. These include a variety of germanium and low alpha metal products. Teck Cominco has a competitive advantage of owning secure sources of the raw materials required for these products.

 

A new source of materials is the environmentally friendly electronic scrap recycling program. The Teck Cominco electronics recycling process recovers primary metals and incinerates plastics and other waste materials to address the growing concern of e-scrap in the landfills and the ethics of dumping toxic scrap in developing countries.

 

The economic impact of Trail Operations in the community of Greater Trail is significant. Annual payroll is approximately $120 million with ~1400 individuals directly employed by the Operations. In addition the company annually purchases over $80 million in goods and services from local suppliers. New opportunities are emerging for certified trades people and operators as Trail Operations replaces retiring workers with a steady flow of new employment. The expectation is that this trend will continue over the next several years.

 

The metal production facility is located on the Columbia River, within the community of Trail. Consequently, there is a high level of environmental awareness at Trail Operations, with regular and comprehensive monitoring of local air and water quality. Extensive in-plant monitoring and alarm systems and an Environmental Management System that is compliant to the ISO 14001 standard are designed to minimize the possibility of spills to the environment and to drive further improvements in environmental performance. These preventive systems, together with over $1 billion in plant and environmental improvements since 1979, have resulted in greater than 95% reductions of releases to air and water. Trail Operations remains committed to further improvements on all fronts, including its visual impact on the surrounding community. Trail Operations continues to spend several million each year on environmental monitoring and assessment, greening projects, demolition and other environmental programs.

 

Trail Operations is committed to support workers develop their knowledge, skills and abilities whether work related or not. The company's internationally and nationally recognized, award winning on-site Learning Centre delivers courses, conducts workshops and designs learning paths requested by the employees and not required for the workplace. The Learning Centre is completely funded by the company, it schedules around the 15 shifts in the 24/7 operation, and all courses are free to employees.

 

Teck Cominco’s Trail Operations continuing strength in metals production combined with growth of value added new products, positions the company for future success. Trail Operations will continue as a stable driver of the local economy for the foreseeable future.

 
 
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