Teck Resources has received approval to construct a major life extension project at its Highland Valley Copper mine in British Columbia, set to significantly extend the mine’s operational lifespan and boost copper production.
The project, approved by Teck’s board in July following the issuance of an environmental assessment certificate and required permits from the British Columbia government, will extend operations at Highland Valley from 2028 to 2046.
It plans to maintain an average copper production rate of 132,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) throughout this period.
A key component of the initiative involves a mine pushback in the Valley Pit, requiring additional waste stripping to access higher-quality ore.
This effort will be supported by enhancements and expanded capacity across various mine systems.
The total capital expenditure for the project is estimated to be between CA$2.1 billion and CA$2.4 billion, with spending scheduled between the second half of 2025 and 2028.
The investment will fund critical site infrastructure and facility development, expansion of the mining fleet, upgrades to the grinding circuit, increased tailings storage capacity, and improvements to power and water management systems.
Teck Resources CEO Jonathan Price emphasised the project’s importance, stating: “This quarter marked a significant milestone in the growth of Teck’s copper production into the future, with regulatory approval and Board sanction for construction of the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project.”
In addition to extending the mine’s life, the project has boosted the company’s 2028 copper and molybdenum production forecasts by 20,000 tonnes and 1,100 tonnes, respectively.
Construction is slated to begin in August, with the life extension expected to preserve roughly 1,500 direct jobs at the mine and generate approximately 2,900 positions during the construction phase.
The Highland Valley initiative coincides with Teck’s broader corporate restructuring revealed in September 2024, which introduced two regional business divisions — North America, inclusive of Highland Valley, and Latin America — part of the company’s strategic shift toward becoming a pure-play energy transition metals producer.
