On May 17, Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair and Don Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck marked the signing of an agreement that will creat
On May 17, Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair and Don Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck marked the signing of an agreement that will create long-term benefits for the Ktunaxa people and increased certainty around future sustainable mining development in the Elk Valley region. — Photo courtesy Teck
The Ktunaxa Nation Council and Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") have announced the signing of an Impact Management and Benefits Agreement that will create numerous long-term benefits for the Ktunaxa people and increased certainty around future sustainable mining development in the region.
The agreement relates to production at Teck's steelmaking coal operations within Ktunaxa ?amak?is (Ktunaxa Nation Territory) in British Columbia's Elk Valley region. Spanning approximately 40 years and all five operations, it is one of the most comprehensive agreements of its kind in place in Canada and sets out commitments for both parties in the areas of:
- Consultation and engagement
- Environment and land stewardship
- Employment and business opportunities for Ktunaxa citizens
- Cultural resources management
"As Ktunaxa, our roles as stewards and protectors of the land are vital to who we are," said Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair. "This agreement affirms the commitment the Ktunaxa Nation and Teck have to protecting and rehabilitating the environment, providing economic opportunities for Ktunaxa communities and citizens and protecting Ktunaxa culture and language."
"The strong relationship between the Ktunaxa Nation and Teck is fundamental to continued responsible resource development in the Elk Valley," said Don Lindsay, President and CEO, Teck. "This agreement reflects our shared focus on ensuring the environment is protected, while also providing sustainable economic opportunities for the people and communities of the region for years to come."
The agreement will be implemented through three joint working groups with equal representation from the Ktunaxa Nation Council and Teck: an Environmental Working Group, Cultural Working Group and Procurement and Employment Operational Working Group.
For more information about Teck's steelmaking coal operations, go to: http://www.teck.com/products/steelmaking-coal/
Ktunaxa (pronounced 'k-too-nah-ha') people have occupied the lands adjacent to the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers and the Arrow Lakes of British Columbia, Canada for more than 10,000 years. The Traditional Territory of the Ktunaxa Nation covers approximately 70,000 square kilometres (27,000 square miles) within the Kootenay region of south-eastern British Columbia and historically included parts of Alberta, Montana, Washington and Idaho. Further information on the Ktunaxa Nation can be found at www.ktunaxa.org.
Teck is a diversified resource company committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, steelmaking coal, zinc and energy. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TCK.A and TCK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TCK. Learn more about Teck at: www.teck.com or follow @TeckResources.
