Teck is making progress on environmental issues

Re: “With the sale of Teck coal mines, make polluters pay,” commentary, April 22.

The commentary is missing important context regarding the successful work underway to improve water quality in B.C.’s Elk Valley.

Treatment facilities built by Teck as part of the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan are having a significant positive effect, with selenium concentrations having stabilized and beginning to reduce downstream of treatment.

We have invested $1.4 billion in water treatment and expect to invest a further $150 million to $250 million by the end of this year. Looking out further, the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan includes construction of an additional six water treatment facilities by the end of 2027, which will further reduce selenium and protect the health of the watershed for the long term.

Importantly, the fish population in the region is robust and growing, with studies of Westslope cutthroat trout in the Upper Fording River showing an increasing trend since 2019, with an estimated 10,000 adult fish and about 16,000 juveniles as of 2023.

The fact is the steelmaking coal operations in the Elk Valley generate critical economic activity for B.C., and create thousands of jobs for local British Columbians who care deeply about ensuring the environment is maintained for future generations.

They are committed to operating in a responsible manner and to doing the work necessary to support both a healthy environment and a healthy mining sector.

We have a proven track record of successfully reclaiming mine operations in B.C., meet all bonding requirements set out by the provincial government and are committed to protecting water quality in the Elk Valley at no cost to government or taxpayers.

Sheila Risbud, vice-president Sustainable Development Coal Teck