Mining Association of B.C. and Province announce the 2013 Mining and Sustainability Award Winners

Taseko Mine and Teck Wins Sustainability Award. — Photo courtesy Taseko Mining

The Mining Association of B.C. (MABC) and the Province of British Columbia are pleased to announce Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine and Teck Resources Limited as the 2013 co-recipients of the B.C. Mining and Sustainability Award.

The Gibraltar Mine (Taseko-Gibraltar), a copper‐molybdenum mine located 65 km north of Williams Lake, was constructed in 1971, and purchased by Taseko in 1999 at a time when it was closed and scheduled for demolition. Taseko reopened the mine in 2004 and in 2013 completed its third phase of modernization and upgrading. Taseko-Gibraltar is now the second largest copper mine in Canada and currently employs approximately 700 people, the majority of whom live in the Cariboo. Over the past decade, through the rebuilding of Taseko-Gibraltar, Taseko has demonstrated a comprehensive commitment to the principles of responsible development and continuous improvement at all levels of its operation.

Teck Resources Limited is Canada’s largest diversified resource company and owns or has interest in mines in Canada, the United States and Chile, including six mines and a zinc and lead smelting and refining operation in B.C. With a workforce of nearly 11,000 employees, Teck is the largest producer of steelmaking coal in North America; the world’s second largest exporter of steelmaking coal to the seaborne market; a major producer of copper; and one of the world’s leading zinc producers. Teck has consistently been a world leader in the field of sustainability and responsible resource development, rooting the practices and principles into both their corporate culture and in their day-to-day operations through concrete, practical actions.

The 2013 Mining and Sustainability Award will be presented to Taseko- Gibraltar on July 15, 2014, at a community celebration in Williams Lake with representatives from the Province, the Mining Association of B.C., Taseko employees, local suppliers and community leaders. Teck will receive its award later in the summer.

Quotes:

“I am pleased to see these two deserving companies receive the 2013 Mining and Sustainability Award. Teck is a global leader in sustainability and all British Columbians can be proud of their unwavering commitment to the environment and the communities in which they operate. Likewise, the reinvigoration of Taseko-Gibraltar from being slated for demolition to becoming the largest employer in the Cariboo with an impressive track record in modernization, sustainability and community engagement is an achievement that should be celebrated throughout B.C.” - Karina Briño, President and CEO, Mining Association of BC

“Congratulations to Taseko and Teck on receiving the 2013 Mining and Sustainability Award, and thank you for your commitment to your employees, the environment, and B.C. communities. Responsible, innovative companies like Teck and Taseko are the real strength of our mining sector, which employs more than 30,000 people in our province and has a tremendous impact on our economy..” – Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines

“Taseko-Gibraltar is proud to be the recipient of the 2013 Mining and Sustainability award as it recognizes our values as a company and our commitment to the Cariboo region in which we operate. To us, responsible and sustainable mining is all-encompassing from our operations inclusive of our employees’ success in their careers, their health and safety, and the environment to our support of our neighbours, friends, and local communities.” - Dave Rouleau, Vice President Mining Operations, Taseko

“For over 100 years, our employees have lived and worked in communities across British Columbia. Their commitment to making the right choices for communities and for future generations is reflected in Teck’s focus on responsible resource development. Guided by their example, we remain dedicated to ensuring the safety of our people, protecting the environment, and creating lasting benefits in the communities where we operate.” – Don Lindsay, President and CEO, Teck

About the Mining and Sustainability Award: Presented by the Mining Association of British Columbia and the Province, this annual award recognizes the diverse companies, communities, First Nations, non-governmental organizations, government agencies and individuals committed to advancing and promoting sustainable development in the B.C. mining sector. Nominees are assessed based on eight key criteria, including: health and safety, effective engagement, respect for indigenous peoples, environment, operation life cycle, resource use efficiency, continuous learning and adaptation and the economic, social and cultural benefits to the local community. The Adjudication Committee is comprised of experts with a wide range of experience with sustainability in the mining context in B.C. and internationally.