Sustainability

Helping Rebuild the Local Economy in Andacollo

Relief efforts from Teck support neighbouring communities following natural disasters.

Coquimbo, a mountainous region north of Santiago, Chile, is a popular travel destination with its white-sand beaches and warm climate. With a growing tourism economy, traditional craft fairs in the city of Coquimbo have become a popular outlet for local entrepreneurs to sell goods and expand their businesses.

But in September 2015, a magnitude 8.4 earthquake and subsequent tsunami severely damaged the north-central region of Chile, in particular the coastal areas around Coquimbo. Along with the devastating damage to the community, the local market was destroyed, leaving people without a place to sell their goods and support themselves or their families.

As part of our commitment to helping build healthy, vibrant communities in the areas where we operate, Carmen de Andacollo (CDA) Operations, located near Coquimbo, stepped in to help after the earthquake. To assist entrepreneurs in recovering their source of employment, Teck donated US$500,000 towards a reconstruction campaign organized by the foundation Desafío Levantemos Chile. The funds went towards reconstructing the market infrastructure, which directly benefited 84 people and their families.

The reconstruction project also involved both governmental and social organizations. Public roads were rebuilt, street lights re-erected, gutter systems installed and other facilities reconstructed. Training programs in business management were offered for the community, with the goal of aiding entrepreneurs in rebuilding their businesses and strengthening the local economy.

In 2017, these local entrepreneurs are now back in Coquimbo with a renewed market for their businesses.

“As members of the community, we wanted to help those affected by this disaster,” said Manuel Novoa, General Manager, CDA. “We hope that our support will allow people in the Coquimbo Region to regain employment and revive this prosperous tourist site.” 

This story was first published in Teck’s 2016 Economic Contributions Report, a new report that provides detailed information about the economic benefits generated by our activities, including payments to suppliers, employee wages and benefits, and payments to governments. 

The report is based on our belief that financial transparency can help stakeholders understand the economic benefits generated by our activities and how those benefits are distributed for local, regional and national economic and social development. 

 

 

Thank You

Download Connect Volume 19

Many thanks to those who contributed to and participated in this issue of Connect:

Catherine Adair, Community Relations Leader, Trail Operations; Ken Andersen, Mine Technical Supervisor, Highland Valley Copper; Mohammad Babaei, Senior Technical Analyst, IS+T Operational Technology, Line Creek Operations; Marsha Bradcoe (retired), Haul Truck Driver, Fording River Operations; Barbara Brice, Senior Human Resources Generalist, Pend Oreille Mine; Pamela Chait, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Santiago office; Rebecca Edwards, Communications Coordinator, Sparwood office; Francisca Gregorio, Communications Specialist, Corporate Affairs, Santiago office; Gord Kavaloff, Senior Reliability Specialist, Trail Operations; Hadden Kelloway, Blaster, Elkview Operations; Brian Kennedy, Project Director, Project Development and Engineering, Vancouver office; Peter Martell, Superintendent, Environment and Community Affairs, Highland Valley Copper; Cole Massaro, Equipment Operator, Greenhills Operations; Anna Mihalj, Technician, Mining, Engineering, Greenhills Operations; Nic Milligan, Manager, Social Responsibility, Sparwood office; Rick Plovie, Support Equipment Planner, Highland Valley Copper; Marisol Reategui, Executive Assistant, Exploartion (Americas), Surco office; Mark Richards, Manager, Mining Technology, Applied Research and Technology; Jacqui Schneider, Senior Community Affairs Officer, Highland Valley Copper; Herman Urrejola, Manager, Social Responsibility, Santiago office; Fritz Westlake, Community Relations Coordinator, Public Relations, Red Dog Operations; Richard Weymark, Dam Construction Manager, Highland Valley Copper; Alexa Young, Manager, Federal Government Affairs, Vancouver office

Man in hard hat and safety vest smiling, monochrome photo.

On the Cover

Sebastian Malagueño, Plant Manager, Quebrada Blanca Operations

Submissions

Have a story that you would like to share through Connect? Submit your article and high-quality photos to: connect@teck.com