Dear Colleagues,
We are now at the mid-point of 2021, and as we look back on the first half of the year, we have much to be proud of. Strong operational performance and higher commodity prices contributed to a solid start to 2021, and we are making important progress on our priority projects. This includes surpassing the half-way point of our QB2 copper growth project in Chile, which will more than double Teck’s consolidated copper production once complete, and moving into the commissioning phase of our Neptune terminal upgrade in B.C. which will provide a low-cost, reliable supply chain for our steelmaking coal business unit.
These achievements, in and of themselves, are impressive, but when you consider these are taking place during a global pandemic and the innumerable challenges this has created, we see the sheer strength of our company and the commitment of our people on full display.
As a community and as individuals, we continue to face the challenges presented by COVID-19 head on, knowing that better days lie ahead. That determination and optimism for the future are captured by the theme of this issue of Connect: “Forward Together”, and this issue is dedicated to everyone who has worked so hard to safeguard the health and safety of our people, their loved ones, co-workers and communities, all while forging ahead to ensure our company’s success.
One of the greatest sources of optimism for better days ahead are the COVID-19 vaccines being administered around the world, setting us on a path to a bright, post-pandemic future. In “COVID-19 Vaccines: Your Questions Answered”, Teck's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joshua Tepper, answers some commonly asked questions about the vaccines, how they work, and why it’s so important that each of us gets vaccinated.
The actions we take each day to stop the spread of COVID-19 are also critical. In “COVID-19: Be the Best Defence” you’ll see how we’re partnering with world-class athletes to continue advancing prevention protocols, and in “Copper and Health: Choosing Safer Surfaces to Combat Viruses”, you’ll learn how we’re creating public awareness about the power of anti-microbial copper in killing harmful bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
The incredible work that’s been done across our company over the past 15 months in the fight against COVID-19 is rooted in our commitment to Safety. Our commitment to Excellence takes centre stage in “Celebrating Excellence: Our Award Winners”, where we profile the exceptional individuals and teams who earned Excellence Awards in 2019 and highlight the outstanding contributions they’ve made to Teck. The Excellence Awards program celebrates the truly inspiring work taking place across our company, and that celebration will continue with the launch of the 2021 program later this year. Once launched, I encourage everyone to nominate deserving individuals or teams in one of the categories of Health and Safety in the Workplace, Sustainability, Innovation, Cost Reduction and Productivity, Mentor or Unsung Hero.
When thinking about inspiring work taking place across Teck, our Technology and Innovation group provides us with many exciting examples. In “RACE21™: Success Story Snapshots”, we hear about two innovative programs underway in Chile and Canada, both of which leverage technology and ingenuity. At Carmen de Andacollo in Chile, drones and remote inspection technology are being used to conduct safer, more efficient and more accurate equipment inspections, while across our steelmaking coal operations, the COVID Digital Contact Tracing framework is helping our health and safety teams easily track and manage COVID-19 cases. These initiatives, like so many being driven across Teck, rely on the collection and analysis of data to make the right decisions at the right time.
Teck’s business transformation is preparing us for the future of mining. An important part of this preparation is putting the right systems, standards and structures in place to ensure we can respond to evolving business needs, meet increasing societal expectations, and continue to create value for our shareholders. In this issue’s “In the Know” section, we highlight two such transformations. “HSEC Management System Improvement Program” outlines an improvement program that will help us more efficiently keep our people, communities and the environment safe and healthy, while “Transforming HR Services at Teck: What You Need to Know” takes a look at how HR services are being transformed to better support our business now and in the future.
As you read this issue of Connect, I know you will see the spirit and resilience of our people shine through and hope you will feel as proud to be part of our company as I am. I would like to thank the extraordinary people across Teck who work each day, each shift to ensure our company’s success. A future beyond this pandemic awaits, and we will get there by continuing to look after each other and ourselves and by moving forward together.
Don Lindsay
President and CEO
