KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University is another step closer to helping companies lessen their environmental impact following a large donation from Teck Resources.
On Thursday morning the company announced it’s donating $350-thousand to go towards the creation of an Industrial Research Chair position at TRU.
Working as part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, the chair is responsible for researching elements of a former project site including its soil, bio diversity and impact on climate change.
It will then provide reclamation solutions to companies on ways to reduce its environmental impact on the area.
“At Thompson Rivers University they have world leaders when it comes to reclamation research,” said Greg Brouwer, General Manager with Highland Valley Copper. “It’s an ever-evolving science and we wanted to make sure we were supporting the institution and ultimately benefiting from that research.”
The project will involve students, faculty members and First Nations in preserving the integrity of the land.
“First Nations have species of cultural importance to them,” said Lauch Fraser, Professor of Natural Resource Sciences. “They’ve used plants and animals in traditional ways so we’re very interested in working with First Nations to ensure the plants and animals that are important to them are restored to the site.”
Genome B.C., the Real Estate Foundation of B.C, and New Gold also donated more than $100-thousand towards the creation of the Industrial Research Chair position.
TRU President Alan Shaver called Teck Resources donation ‘significant’.
“I’m very happy and very thankful. When industry steps up like this it really means a lot. They have their resources that they need to run their company for their shareholders etc, so the fact they’re putting research as an important priority and showing that priority by investing in it, that’s significant.”
