The provincial government has approved Teck Resource Limited’s (TSX:TCK.B) Elk Valley Water Quality Plan, the mining giant announced November 18.
The $600 million plan addresses treatment of water released by mining work in the Elk Valley watershed, with a focus on the handling of selenium, nitrate, sulphate and cadmium, as well as other substances.
“Development of the plan was informed by scientific advice received from a technical advisory committee chaired by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, which included representatives from Teck, the Ktunaxa Nation, US Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Montana, Environment Canada and other agencies and an independent scientist,” Teck said in a release.
“Public input was received through three phases of consultation conducted in Elk Valley communities.”
The plan will include aquatic monitoring and testing with short, medium and long-term targets.
A water treatment facility at Line Creek will be operational by early 2015, and a facility at Fording River is scheduled to open in 2018. Another facility at Elkview may also be built.
Teck has already invested $120 million into the Line Creek facility.
Image: Diagram of active-water treatment of mine-affected water. Source: Teck handout
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