Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management

Teck is committed to implementation of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management across our operating and legacy (closed) facilities in all jurisdictions.

Teck and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management

Teck is committed to responsibly managing tailings facilities and implementing the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) at our operating and closed facilities in all jurisdictions. Our regular inspections and robust management practices confirm that all our facilities are safe and managed in alignment with leading national and international standards. Below is a summary of progress on GISTM conformance at each of Teck’s active, and higher consequence, inactive tailings facilities.

Consequence Classification: Very High and Extreme

Carmen de Andacollo

Quebrada Blanca

Highland Valley Copper

Red Dog Operations

Elkview Operations

Fording River Operations

Consequence Classification: Low, Significant and High

Highland Valley Copper

Elkview Operations

Fording River Operations

Greenhills Operations

Line Creek Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

The GISTM was jointly launched in August 2020 by the ICMM, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Principles for Responsible Investment.

The Standard sets a high benchmark for the safe management of tailings facilities and supports the ultimate goal of zero harm to people and the environment.

The standard enhances transparency and accountability for safe and responsible tailings management for all of our communities of interest, including our employees, while providing increased confidence that our facilities are being managed in a safe and responsible manner.

Across all of our facilities, we are near full conformance with the new standard and we are working to close minor gaps and achieve full conformance.

Outstanding items are primarily related to data disclosure and incorporating information from longer-term engineering studies into site tailings management practices.

Importantly, our regular inspections and robust management practices confirm that all our facilities are safe and managed in alignment with leading national and international standards.

There are 14 active and 29 inactive tailings facilities across all of our active and closed sites.

Teck was a strong proponent of and advocated strongly for the adoption of a global standard, and we were actively involved with the development of the ICMM Good Practice Guidance and Conformance Protocol.

We are committed to responsibly managing tailings facilities and implementing the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) at our operating and closed facilities in all jurisdictions.

Not at all. Our regular inspections and robust management practices confirm that all our facilities are safe and managed in alignment with leading national and international standards.

We have comprehensive systems and procedures in place for the safe operation and monitoring of tailings facilities that follow best global practices and include the latest surveillance technology and robust in-person inspections by our team and independent third-party experts.

Facilities are inspected by technical staff as frequently as daily, formal inspections are conducted at least annually by the Engineer of Record, and third-party reviews by an independent geotechnical expert are performed every five to seven years at each facility.

All of our facilities have an Independent Tailings Review Board, made up of independent experts, that meet annually to conduct a third-party review of all operation and governance aspects of the facility.

We continually review our facilities and procedures and are committed to maintaining the highest standard of safety at our operations.

All sites have local feedback mechanisms in place to respond to feedback and inquiries. Relevant contact information can be found at teck.com/about/contact/.

What is the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management – or the GISTM?   

The GISTM was jointly launched in August 2020 by the ICMM, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Principles for Responsible Investment.

The Standard sets a high benchmark for the safe management of tailings facilities and supports the ultimate goal of zero harm to people and the environment.

How is Teck performing against the GISTM standard and are you meeting all requirements? 

Across all of our facilities, we are near full conformance with the new standard and we are working to close minor gaps and achieve full conformance.

Outstanding items are primarily related to data disclosure and incorporating information from longer-term engineering studies into site tailings management practices.

Importantly, our regular inspections and robust management practices confirm that all our facilities are safe and managed in alignment with leading national and international standards.

How many tailings facilities does Teck operate? 

There are 14 active and 29 inactive tailings facilities across all of our active and closed sites.

What was Teck’s role in developing this international standard?  

We are committed to responsibly managing tailings facilities and implementing the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) at our operating and closed facilities in all jurisdictions.

Are there any safety concerns at your tailings facilities? 

Not at all. Our regular inspections and robust management practices confirm that all our facilities are safe and managed in alignment with leading national and international standards.

We continually review our facilities and procedures and are committed to maintaining the highest standard of safety at our operations.

If I, as a community member, have questions about tailings and am looking for answers, what is the process?  

All sites have local feedback mechanisms in place to respond to feedback and inquiries. Relevant contact information can be found at teck.com/about/contact/.