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A goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions has been reached three years ahead of time by the Canadian mining, mineral development and energy group, Teck Resources.
Teck, based in Vancouver, stated in its annual sustainability report that last year it had cut total carbon dioxide emissions by 281 kilotons since 2011. It had set a 2020 deadline for this reduction level.
The group’s other environmental claim is that its mining operations have reduced new water use by 11 per cent since 2013, and that on average water is recycled and reused four times at Teck mines.
Teck gave the figures while releasing a new water policy characterized by “consistently strong and transparent” governance and sustainable water use.
The group says it has a policy of negotiation, countering the common criticism that mining operations ignore established communities’ rights. The report says that last year Teck reached agreement with all the indigenous peoples in areas where it has mining projects.
On an even more positive note, the company records that it spent $138m (£101m, €116m) with indigenous-owned businesses in conducting its operations, including during the past three years a 48 per cent increase in procuring goods from them for steel-making coal and for the Highland Valley Copper project in British Columbia.
To highlight its gender policy Teck reports that 29 per cent of its hires last year were women. The proportion of women now in its workforce is 17 per cent, up from 15 per cent in 2016.
To mark the achievements the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index in 2017 included Teck for the eighth consecutive year.
Don Lindsay, Teck’s president and chief executive, said: “We make sustainability a part of everything we do, because we know that responsible mining and mineral development is not only the right thing to do. It is fundamental to our current and future success.
“In 2017 we were able to advance our work in sustainability and achieve strong business results, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees.”
Marcia Smith, senior vice-president of sustainability and external affairs, declared: “We are on track in advancing, and ultimately achieving, all of our 2020 sustainability goals.
“Guided by our sustainability strategy, we are improving our performance, including meeting our 2020 greenhouse gas emission reduction goal early, using water responsibly, and strengthening our relationships with indigenous peoples.”
