Breaking News: Teck idles smelting operations in Trail due to BC wildfires

A Teck spokesman confirmed Teck Resources has temporarily idled lead smelting operations at its Trail Operations in B.C.

— August 21, 2018

View of the Teck Resources plant in Trail. — Photo courtesy Teck

S&P Global Platts, an independent provider of information to the resource markets is reporting that Vancouver-based Teck has temporarily shut down their lead smelting operations in Trail.

The report stated, “Teck Resources has temporarily idled lead smelting operations at its Trail Operations in British Columbia, a Teck spokesman confirmed to S&P Global Platts late Monday night, as dozens of wildfires burn across the Canadian province with no relief from the hot, dry weather forecast for at least the remainder of this week.”

Chris Stannell, spokesman for Teck, said in an email to S&P Global Platts, “that lead smelting ceased at Trail early this week because a supplier plant that provides oxygen to Trail Operations is currently shut down due to air quality in the area which is temporarily affecting lead smelting."

Stannell did not give an estimate of when lead smelting will resume at Trail, one of the world's largest fully integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complexes. Stannell told S&P Global that zinc operations are not affected at Trail.

"We are closely monitoring the situation at each of our operations and have response plans in place to ensure employee safety is protected," he added in the email. Teck produces approximately 90,000 mt/year of refined lead and 295,000 mt/year of refined zinc at Trail.

S&P Global Platts is the leading independent provider of information, benchmark prices and analytics for the energy and commodities markets. For over 100 years, we've brought clarity and transparency to the energy and commodities markets, enabling companies, governments and individuals to act with conviction.