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  • Pages
  • Editions
01 Cover
02 Welcome Letter / Sections
03 Article & Interview Directory
04 Section 1: Introduction
05 An Evolving Constitutional Landscape
06 Chile Ministry of Mining Interview
07 Consejo Minero Interview
08 APRIMIN Interview
09 Expert Opinion Article: Francisco Acuña, CRU
10 Expert Insights: Chile’s Evolving Sociopolitical Landscape
11 ESG & Renewable Energy
12 ICMM Interview
13 Aggreko Interview
14 Mining Investment Climate
15 Appian Capital Advisory Interview
16 Expert Insights: Attracting Sustainable Investment
17 Section 2: Production & Development
18 Copper Production & Development
19 BHP Interview
20 Antofagasta PLC Interview
21 Freeport McMoRan Interview
22 Teck Resources Limited Interview
23 Amerigo Resources Interview
24 Precious Metals
25 Kinross Interview
26 Rio2 Limited Interview
27 Lithium
28 SQM Interview
29 Albemarle Interview
30 Section 3: Junior Exploration
31 Study-stage Copper Projects
32 Expert Insights: Chile's Junior Exploration Community
33 World Copper Limited Interview
34 Early-stage Opportunities
35 ATEX Resources Interview
36 Torq Resources Interview
37 Pampa Metals Interview
38 VerAI Discoveries Interview
39 Lithium Exploration and Development
40 Lithium Chile Interview
41 Wealth Minerals Interview
42 Monumental Minerals Interview
43 Section 4: Engineering, Construction & Consultancies
44 Engineering & Consultancies
45 Water and the Environment
46 JRI Interview
47 Wood Interview
48 SRK Consulting Interview
49 Construction & Contractors
50 Sigdo Koppers Interview
51 Züblin Strabag Interview
52 Echeverría Izquierdo Interview
53 Thiess Interview
54 Going Underground
55 Master Drilling Interview
56 Robbins Interview
57 INCIMMET Interview
58 Section 5: Equipment & Technology
59 The Evolution of Mining Equipment
60 Scania Interview
61 Expert Insights: OEMs on Sustainability and Innovation
62 Comminution & Material Handling
63 Metso Outotec Interview
64 ME Elecmetal Interview
65 TAKRAF Interview
66 Haver & Boecker Interview
67 Innovation & Technology
68 Hexagon Interview
69 DSI Underground Interview
70 Dingo Interview
71 Pipes, Valves, Components & Wear Protection
72 Hofmann Engineering Interview
73 Expert Insights: The Benefits of AI and Automation
74 Section 6: Services
75 Drilling & Blasting
76 Geotec Boyles Bros Interview
77 Enaex Interview
78 Services
79 SGS Interview
80 Section 7: Sponsored Company Profiles
81 FreePort-McMoRan Profile
82 Rio2 Company Profile
83 Lithium Chile Profile
84 Metso Outotec Company Profile
85 SGS Company Profile
86 Credits

Don Lindsay, President & CEO,

TECK RESOURCES LIMITED

"We are laser focused on the successful execution of our QB2 project in Chile as the first step in Teck’s copper growth strategy, which will be transformational for our company."

What is the current status of the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) construction and ramp up, and once in full production, what will this project mean for Teck Resources?

We are laser focused on the successful execution of our QB2 project in Chile as the first step in Teck’s copper growth strategy, which will be transformational for our company. Construction of QB2 is on track and the project is set to start production in the second half of 2022.

Once in production, QB2 will double our consolidated copper production by 2023 and significantly reweight our portfolio more towards copper at a time when we see significant rising demand fueled by the transition to the low-carbon economy.

How has the company dealt with cost increases at QB2 related to COVID-19 and rising inflation?

We are continuing to actively manage costs and we have put in place a variety of mitigation measures and incentives, many of which are aimed at attracting talent, employee retention and minimizing absenteeism. In addition, our focus continues to be on managing COVID-19 and the extensive protocols we have in place to protect the health and safety of our employees, partners and communities.

Can you explain how Teck intends to use desalinated seawater in place of freshwater for its mining processes at QB2?

We are switching entirely to desalinated water for QB2 in order to protect local freshwater. It is important to mention that Teck voluntary committed to return fresh water rights to the State of Chile as part of the QB2 environmental evaluation process. QB2 will have the first large-scale use of desalinated seawater for mining in Chile’s Tarapacá Region. Seawater will be pumped to the desalination plant, purified, then pumped by five booster stations up 4,400 metres of altitude to QB2’s concentrator plant, where it will be used for mining processes. The leftover concentrated saltwater will be pumped back into the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 40 metres (750 metres from the coast) to ensure there is enough dilution to be compatible with the ocean’s ecosystem.

Can you provide details of the Quebrada Blanca Mill Expansion (QBME) prefeasibility study and the potential for Phase 3 expansion?

Our Quebrada Blanca Mill Expansion project, or QBME, would add another 150,000-plus t/y of copper equivalent production as early as 2026—increasing our throughput by at least 50%. This mill expansion would leverage existing QB2 project infrastructure to the fullest and be a key piece of our copper growth strategy. The pre-feasibility study is expected to be complete by end of this year and we will assess sanctioning following that.

QB2 only uses around 18% of the 2021 reserve and resource tonnage and the vast, long-life deposit is large enough to support multiple expansions which we will be looking at moving forward.

What are your views on Chile as a mining jurisdiction in the context of constitutional reform, and what could changes to the royalty bill mean for Teck’s investments in the country?

Teck has operated in Chile for many years - it is a great mining jurisdiction. We are committed to working closely with the new Chilean government to ensure we continue to benefit communities while operating responsibly. We support the efforts of the mining industry associations in the country that have publicly indicated that mining activities provide much more wealth than taxes paid, including jobs and social investments programs among other positive impacts. We are monitoring the royalty bill closely, and we believe that the discourse in Chile will reach a reasonable outcome that will allow for continued sustainable resource development.

How important is copper to Teck’s future as a diversified mining company focused on the energy transition?

Copper is absolutely central to Teck’s growth strategy. Copper is a crucial component in renewable energy systems and green technologies—from solar panels to wind turbines, electric cars and much more. It’s a critical metal that will increasingly be in demand worldwide, with projections showing demand will double by 2030. And that makes it key to our growth strategy because not only will it be in strong demand in the years ahead, but it is also a key part of our commitment to responsible mining and providing the resources needed for the low-carbon future.

Next:

Interview: Amerigo Resources