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Teck cutting operations in half at four valley mines
It didn’t take Teck Resources long to react, in part, to a letter sent to it by Elk Valley elected leaders yesterday asking it to consider restricting the inter-mingling of employees and transient contractors.
The company has today announced it is temporarily slowing down operations and further reducing crews by up to 50% of regular levels across B.C. and Alberta mining operations.
“This will be for an initial period of approximately two weeks, after which we will re-evaluate in light of the evolving situation,” the company stated in a March 23 internal announcement.
“All employees available for work will continue to be paid as normal during this two-week period. Impacts will vary by operation, but production will continue at sites on a reduced basis, in addition to essential services such as safety and environmental management.”
The slow down and crew reduction will affect operations at Elkview, Fording River, Greenhills and Line Creek, as well as at Teck’s mines at Cardinal River and Highland Valley Copper.
Teck noted it will continue to work with supply chain partners, “including local businesses, to maintain adequate volumes of critical safety supplies at all sites, including disinfectants and personal protective equipment.
The company said these measures go along with those already implemented, including enhanced disinfection protocols, eliminating large groups gathering and reducing bus occupancy, as well as screening contractors and external visitors and requiring employees with symptoms to stay home and self-isolate.
“There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases among Teck employees or contractors to date. We are continuing to work with our unions and following the guidance of government and public health authorities,” the company said, adding it will “adapt our response as necessary as this situation continues to evolve.”
The company announcement concluded Teck will maintain diligence in following preventative measures, Teck said if the slowdown must extend beyond two weeks “we will have to review the impact on our workforce, including the use of vacation, unpaid leave and employee layoffs.”
Lead image: Elkview Operations and Elk River at Sparwood. e-KNOW file photos
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