By Greg Fry

Highland Valley Copper extension discussions at ‘pre-feasibility’ stage

Apr 26, 2018 | 2:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Discussions are underway by Teck Resources to possibly extend the life of the Highland Valley Copper mine.

Peter Martell, environment and community affairs superintendent, says they’ve dubbed the project ‘HVC 2040’ which would end up extending the mine’s life by about 12 years to 2040.

“The project is currently in the pre-feasibility stage which means that there hasn’t been a decision as to whether or not we’re going forward with it,” he says. “And the stage we’re at now is we’re doing a bunch of baseline studies work which includes environmental work and then also evaluating a number of engineering options to see if the proposed project is feasible.”

Martell says the key will be to find “innovative technologies” that will help Teck to continue to mine the ore and to also reduce its costs so they can do that.

He adds the pre-feasibility stage will wrap up at the end of 2018 before the feasibility stage starts in earnest in 2019. Martell expects a final decision on an extension by 2020.

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United Steelworkers President Kyle Wolff with Local 7619, the union representing workers at Highland Valley, says the prospects of a mine life extension are encouraging.

“Absolutely. The increase of a mine life for both the area and the employee base is incredibly good. Our wages, our benefits, our pensions for the employee base and also for the businesses that are around it.”

Highland Valley Copper employs approximately 1,300 people plus 150 to 300 contractors.