MiningWeek May 14th to 20th, 2017
May 11, 2017 A Special Supplement to
THE FREE PRESS
Proud supporters of Mining in the Elk Valley Box 1917 Sparwood, B.C. V0B 2G0 (250) 425-2713 (Shop) (250) 425-2718 (Fax)
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Mining and the community
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parwood is an industrial hub in the Elk Valley and our locals depend on the coal mines for steady employment. The mines also create opportunities for indirect employment, in the form of contactors that provide services and mine equipment to our local sites. Flexible shifts raise the standards of living in our community; allowing generations of workers to live, work, and play here. New companies and families are being drawn in by the mines and are staying for the welcoming local business community. Many of Sparwood’s small businesses are Bev McNaughton thriving, due to our constant population Sparwood Chamber Manager growth. This steady growth means that new businesses and services are always in demand, making Sparwood a great destination for an entrepreneur looking to start a new venture. Revenues generated from mining activities promote business and entrepreneurs in the mining regions. For instance, an increase in mine employees has led to a promotion of growth in our rental housing sector. Business growth in areas such as accommodation and food services are expected to cater to this growing demand. It’s undeniable that mining in Sparwood affects how we do business, but it also affects tourism in our area. The history of coal and mining in the Elk Valley brings tourists to Sparwood. From our history rich museum, full of tales of underground mining to our open pit coal mine tours, tourists and locals can enjoy and embrace what makes Sparwood tick. It’s easy to take a small look into our daily lives, with mining equipment and artifacts on display throughout town. Suffice it to say, without mining it’s likely that there would be no Sparwood. It’s an industry that connects our community, our heritage, and even our small town charm.
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Miner’s Memorial
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he Miner’s of the Elk Valley Memorial Edition is dedicated to the men that lost their lives mining coal. Focusing on the Balmer North mining disaster that took the lives of 15 men 50 years ago, this special edition shares details about their lives as well as the names of 181 men who lost their lives working in the Elk Valley coal mines.
lley a V lk E e th f o s r Mine al Edition Memori
Pick up your copy at the Sparwood Museum.
mining coal. st their lives those who lo Dedicated to
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The evolution of mine safety in the valley Phil McLachlan Free Press staff
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he mining industry has progressed with time into a completely different industry than it was 50 years ago. A work environment that previously focused strictly on production has shifted its focal point with more consideration to workers. Ian Benson, owner of Bearspaw Contracting out of Elkford, B.C., has seen firsthand how things have changed since the 70s. “It’s a completely different environment now,” said Benson. “Safe production is (now) the focal point. Safety by far is number one.” With coal mining serving as one of B.C.’s pinpoint industries, Benson rests easier knowing that money has taken a step down, and safety, a step up. “The fact that safe production is the focal point now, compared to where it was before when it was produce, produce produce, it’s a great environment to work in.” A coal miner himself, he found it to be a pleasure to work for a company that believed in the system. Over the years, if people questioned the system, Benson saw Teck make advances and work to improve safety, sharing these methods with contractors and partners across the board. While working with Teck, Benson was
also part of the mine rescue team. Terry Twast was his mine rescue captain at the time. While on the job in October of 2005, Twast lost his life in a mining accident. “For me personally, that just made me aware of how much I took for granted in safety,” said Benson. “Out of sight, out of mind. It never happens. You just put it to the back of your mind.” For Benson as well as many others, this sparked a large change throughout the Teck site, a work environment that Benson attested to being very familyoriented. Robin Sheremeta was the General Manager at the time, and took this incident very seriously. “I even heard right from Robin Sheremeta that that was never going to happen on his watch again,” said Benson. “When you have a man of that magnitude making that statement, you believe in it, you see the passion. It was life-changing.” A few years after this incident, Teck Coal introduced Courageous Safety Leadership, a program focused on six main principles. First, an individual is responsible for their own safety and the safety of those around them. Second, an individual is empowered to be courageous. They must speak up if their safety or the safety of those around them is affected or can be improved in some way. Third, an individuals values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviour and actions have an impact on them and others, both at work and at home. Fourth, a safe operation is a
Proud supporters of Mining in the Elk Valley
Photo: Teck
productive operation. Fifth, the mine achieves excellence in safety through a positive culture of safety and strong technical programs. Lastly, safety is a core value at Teck and will not be compromised for any reason. Since its inception in 2009, Teck revisited the program in 2010 and made improvements. With safety first and foremost, Bearspaw, a labour service provider for Teck Mine sites and other various customers, specializes in the training of soon-to-be miners and acclimatizes them to the work environment before they are hired on by a mining company. This ensures that the workers are prepared
and up to the task of working on a mine site. Because of this, Teck and other companies often hire directly through Bearspaw. Benson has been in the Elk Valley since 1972. He went to school here, graduated in 1990, left for four years, then returned to work for Greenhills Operation in 1994. He believes that like the mining industry, he too has evolved as a worker in the past 30 years. “For me, where I evolved as an employee with Teck… I’ve now brought that culture into my company,” said Benson. “It helps an owner sleep at night knowing that everyone’s going to go home safe at the end of the day.”
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The District of Elkford is proud to support mining in the Elk Valley. For mine tour information: 1.855.877.WILD www.elkford.ca
Toll Free: 1-800-407-8090 CRANBROOK, BC 1424 Industrial Rd 2 Fax: 250 426 7076 Tel: 250-426-7020
SPARWOOD, BC 125 Industrial Rd 3 Fax: 250 425 0063 Tel: 250-425-0060
CASTLEGAR, BC 1700 Woodland Dr Fax: 250 365 2102 Tel: 250-365-2115
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Project Heavy Duty returns to the Elk Valley Made possible by local businesses and contractors
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killed trades people are in demand. Project Heavy Duty, a partnership between the District of Sparwood, Southeast School District No. 5, College of the Rockies, WorksafeBC, SMS, Teck Coal and local industry will give 24 Elk Valley grade 11-12 students an opportunity to get hands on training. They will come from Elkford, Sparwood, and Fernie secondary schools. This popular program returns to the Elk Valley for its fourth time and is made possible by local businesses and contractors, the veteran operators who are generously volunteering their time and equipment for this unique learning experience. As part of this training, students will receive Level I First Aid certification from College of the Rockies on May 15. On May 29, students will tour Teck Coal’s Line Creek Mine near Sparwood, SMS Equipment in Elkford, and receive WorksafeBC safety training. The real nuts and bolts of Project Heavy
Duty occur May 30 and 31when students will learn how to safely operate different types of equipment. The students will get to drive graders, excavators, backhoes, manlifts, dozers, trucks, and more, all supplied by local companies. This educational partnership gives students the opportunity to do the following: • Make contacts with potential employers and understand job expectations. • Increase awareness of workplace safety. • Promote awareness of career opportunities in the Elk Valley. • Generate excitement for careers in heavy industry. The equipment training will take place in the District of Sparwood’s gravel pits on the road to Elkford. Parents and the public are invited to come by on May 30 or 31 to watch. See background and information on page C7.
Photo: Submitted Continued on Page C7
CELEBRATE MINING WEEK Finning Elkford is a Proud Supporter of the Mining Industry in the Elk Valley.
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A Balmer North Survivor’s Story John Kinnear
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here were 10 men seriously injured on April 3rd, 1967 as they walked into Balmer’s No. 1 rock tunnel that day. Most had terrible head injuries and suffered complications later on. Earle Price eventually lost a leg. Another of those 10 men who survived that whirlwind was Larion (Larry) Savilow and this is his story. Larion Ivanoff Savilow was a veteran miner. A survivor. He came to the Elk Valley as an 18-year-old Russian immigrant and worked in Corbin for almost seven years. Conditions were tough and dangerous there and miners recall walking in ankle deep coal dust underground. Then the big strike of April 17, 1935 (Black Wednesday) shut the place down forever. Larry got caught up in the strike protest and was arrested and spent the night in jail. He toughed it out in Corbin for two years after the 1935 strike before finally moving to Michel. Savilow worked for thirty years at Michel at various underground mines. He was also on the Michel mine rescue team that won championships. For a time he worked together with his son Bill in Balmer North. Bill’s mother Mary worried about them being in the same mine
Corbin coal miners - white arrow is Savilow.
Championship Michel Mine Rescue Team- Black arrow is Savilow.
together on the same shift and Bill had himself moved to C Seam Mine three months before the accident. Larion was 61-years-old when he suffered that life threatening head injury in the rock tunnel. His son Bill had rushed up to the mine to help that day as he knew his dad was on afternoon shift. When he got there they put him to work driving an old panel truck hauling a couple of the badly injured men. First trip he made was with Herbie Parsons and a trip later he brought Bob Clegg to the Michel Hospital. When he got there with Parsons he overheard his father’s voice in the x-ray room. He went to him and Larion said: “Find my clothes and look in the pockets” which he did and found his dad’s Malton pocket watch. Larion said take the watch home and keep it, it’s yours. Bill did just that and has kept it ever since never once trying to wind it. The watch dial reads four minutes to 4 p.m., the time of the blast. Larion was moved to the Fernie Hospital where he and Earle Price were both given the last rites. Ultimately he was moved to a Vancouver Hospital to recover but according to his son Bill he was never the same after, eventually recovering enough from his head trauma to return home. Larion decided he could not live in Michel anymore, so close to that place that had claimed so many comrades including his dear friend and hunting partner
Photos Submitted: B. Savilow
Guido (Guy) Venzi. He moved to Fernie, never went underground again and lived another 10 years before passing suddenly at the age of 71. Bill Savilow, his son, never worked underground again either. He’d had his fill of it all. The gas, the coal dust, the rock falls, the close calls, the complacent management, the whole damn unpredictability of it all.
Savilow’s pocket watch stopped at 3:56 p.m.
Miners involved in Black Wednesday- White arrow is Larion Savilow.
Larion and Bill Savilow moving a mechanical miner out of Balmer No. 1 Mine.
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Continued from page C4
Project Heavy Duty - Backgrounder Sparwood, B.C. May 29 – 31, 2017 What is the objective of Project Heavy Duty? Project Heavy Duty will introduce 24 School District No. 5 high school students to the variety of jobs available in the road building and construction industries. The students will learn the importance of safety training and receive mentoring from equipment operators as they learn through hands-on experience to operate different types of heavy machinery. How were the students chosen? Interested students completed an application form which was reviewed by the School Counselors who checked attendance and course history. The students were then interviewed and selected for the program. Is there a cost to the students? The students pay nothing for participating in the program. All of the equipment, operators, and machinery servicing have been donated by local companies. Will the students be safe? Prior to their time at the District of Sparwood Gravel Pit, WorkSafeBC will conduct the safety orientation for the site and the students will be provided with a hard hat, high-vis vest and safety glasses. The College of the Rockies will conduct computer based WHMIS training and First-Aid Training for the students. The students are covered by School District No. 5’s liability insurance. At all times, the students are under the direct supervision of machine operators. WorkSafeBC occupational safety officers will be on the site. Who are the organizers of Project Heavy Duty? It is a partnership of School District No. 5, The College of the Rockies, WorkSafeBC, the District of Sparwood and local businesses. What is the extent of community involvement? More than 20 local companies have donated time, equipment, and food services to meet the needs of the more than 50 people who will be on the site at any one time.
Moving mountains is part of our proud heritage in the Kootenay area. IUOE Local 115 and our more than 11,500 members recognize the essential contribution of workers in the BC Mining Industry. District Office: 2-103 Centennial Square, Sparwood Rob Foskett, Business Representative 250-425-2161 • 1-888-605-9955
www.iuoe115.ca
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Member of the MSCCA
250-425-6489 2-101 Red Cedar Dr., Sparwood
Thank you all for shopping local
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Local companies who support the mining industry Bearspaw Contracting
Canadian Pacific Rail
earspaw Contracting, (BPC) was created in November 2006 by Ian Benson and Len Gostick. Both Ian and Len worked at the mines for a combined total of 22 years. Gostick’s background is concrete/construction/mining and Benson’s background was mostly hospitality and mining. In 2006 the creation of Bearspaw was mainly to focus on labour and strengthen the resources of Gostick’s concrete company. They mostly focus on services for the mines in the Elk Valley ranging from General Labour, Construction, Industrial Painting, Steam and Vac trucks, safety services and the list goes on. Bearspaw is directly related to the coal market and they have been through two downturns in the market place in the past 11 years, therefore, they have had both growth and receding scenarios with their employees. They are a great company to work for those wanting exposure to an industrial setting and the different settings they have within the Teck mines. Bearspaw Contracting’s believes in safety for their employees and their community. They are also big supporters of the Elk Valley not only through their company, but also with the BPC Community First Foundation where they have raised almost 250k for the Elk Valley, including Lilac Terrace, Wapiti Ski Hill and the Heli Pad construction behind the Elkford Fire Hall. The BPC Community First Fundraiser is scheduled to be back for 2018.
anadian Pacific (CP) Rail’s coal business represented about 22 per cent of its bulk revenue in 2016, which amounted to almost 10 per cent of its total freight revenues. Most of the Canadian coal CP transports comes from Teck Resource Limited’s mines in the Elk Valley. CP moves the coal about 1,000 kilometres west from the mines to export terminals in North Vancouver and Tsawwassen for export to world markets. Following the loading of coal cars at the mines, each of them is sprayed with an environmentally benign glue-like substance that creates a crust on top of the coal. The hardened crust helps prevent the product from shifting while underway, and helps to eliminate coal dust. Each car is resprayed approximately half way to the coast at the Tappen Respray facility, while the trains remain in motion. • Tappen Respray facility was constructed in 2004. • Two spray bars spraying all cars. • Overspray is recycled. • System is automated, arms only for coal trains. • Spray takes 3-4 seconds per car and 10-15 minutes per train. The trains maintain a consistent speed of about 20 kilometres an hour. The average coal train contains 152 cars and can be over 2.5 kilometres in length. These huge trains are pulled by four GE AC4400 locomotives. Canadian Pacific serves five major metallurgical coal mines in southern British Columbia.
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The Chamber of Mines of Eastern British Columbia
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he Chamber of Mines of Eastern British Columbia is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer organization founded in 1925. Today it continues in its role as the prospector’s advocate, maintaining close links with the prospecting fraternity, with mineral exploration, mining companies and individuals. Brad Gretchev, curator for the chamber, said the organization maintains an extensive collection of reference materials dating back to 1874 including a complete set of Ministry of Mines Annual Reports, many Geological Survey of Canada reports, numerous miscellaneous volumes pertaining to the mineral industry and most original hardcopy Assessment Reports for Southeastern B.C. Every year the Chamber hosts numerous visits by school classes ranging from elementary to college level as well as hosting an annual prospecting course and an advanced placer mining course. “The next time you are in Nelson come check out our mineral specimens and get inspired to get out and prospect,” said Gretchev.
Finning
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inning is the world’s largest Cat® dealer and has been serving customers across Western Canada for over 80 years. Given the resourcerich territories of the Elk Valley, mining is an economic driver and an important part of its business. Finning Continued on Page C9
SHAW’S ENTERPRISES LTD. Proudly supplying our local area mines
141A Aspen, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 (250) 425-2423 http://sparwoodchamber.bc.ca/
Celebrating Mining in The Elk Valley Mining Week BBQ Wednesday, May 17th 12pm in Titan Park.
Coal mine tours running all week
Please call Chamber to sign up for free tours.
From the staff and management at
Shaw’s Enterprises Ltd. in Sparwood, B.C.
WITH LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU IN: • Sparwood • Cranbrook • Kamloops • Nisku • Calgary • Fort McMurray
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Continued from Page C8 supplies and services a comprehensive line of mining production, support and underground equipment to meet its customers’ business and environmental needs. Its offerings include articulated trucks, dozers, drills and shovels to underground and off-highway trucks. You need to move a lot of rock to reach metallurgical coal seams buried deep in the mountains.
Joy Global
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S mining equipment maker Joy Global supplies and services huge machines to help make mining possible. Japanese firm Komatsu Mining recently acquired Joy Global as part of a $3.7 billion takeover that was first announced in July of last year. Steve Droste, regional manager for Western Canada, said his company manufactures a long list of machines but their premium product is the 4100 series of electric mining shovels. The largest of these enormous machines is the P & H 4100 XPC, which weighs in at an impressive 3.3 million pounds and has a 115 tonne payload capacity. Components for the shovel come from a global network of factories but most of them come from the company’s home base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “It’s a very large machine,” said Droste. It takes nine rail cars and 38 tractor-trailers to transport the P & H 4100 XPC. Teck Coal has 22 mammoth electric mining shovels working in the Elk Valley.
Manitoulin Transport
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anitoulin Transport has the most extensive transportation network in North America. Here in the Elk Valley their trucks haul everything from bulldozers, to graders, to excavators to various mine sites.
They also transport emulsion, which is a product that is used for blasting. A lot of what they haul is what truckers call less than truckload shipping or less than load (LTL), which is the transportation of relatively small freight. Though the company has customers in a number of industries Brad Wilson, terminal manager for Sparwood and Cranbrook, said the mines are very important to his company. “It’s critical. No mining industry - no Manitoulin, we’re not even here, but we’re not unique in that respect,” he said. “If there were no mining here, there’d be nobody left except the fishermen. We’re all completely dependent on that industry.”
Martech Electrical Systems
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artech Electrical Systems Ltd. designs, manufactures, distributes, installs, and services electrical systems and equipment for use in a variety of industries. The company has its head office and main plant in Castlegar and branch plants in Cranbrook and Sparwood. It is one of the largest suppliers of electrical services in the interior of British Columbia. They also exclusively represent several major companies as agents and distributors for transformers, drives, and other electrical equipment. The company has a Preferred Vendor Agreement with Teck Coal and Teck Metals; giving value added services and competitive rates to support the operations of the mining industry and the people living in mining communities. The company works with local trades people, technicians and repair support staff that are employed in the mining sector. “We couldn’t survive without working with and for the same people year after year,” said Stephanie Allen-
Celebrating Mining Week May 14–20, 2017 Teck is proud to recognize the skills and dedication of our employees, contractors and suppliers during B.C. Mining Week 2017. Thank you for your valuable contribution to the mining industry in B.C. For a full list of Mining Week activities: www.miningweek.ca
Thursday, May 11, 2017 Page C9
Pelletier, Martech’s administrative assistant. “Having long-term relationships within the mining industry is one of the ways to make that happen.”
Mountain Mechanical Services
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ine work can wreak havoc on machinery and breakdowns of every kind are a common occurrence. Mountain Mechanical Services provides repairs and expertise to keep the Elk Valley’s fleet of heavy equipment moving. “We provide a lot of support to the equipment that the mines use,” said owner Kevin Musil. “We also provide a lot of repairs to people who support the mines.” Mountain Mechanical has locations in Elkford and Sparwood. The company also does a lot of miscellaneous repairs on light duty equipment. On any given day, the company has as many as four mechanics up at the mine repairing everything from forklifts to generators. Musil said the local mining industry is essential to his business. “It’s very important, no question about that,” he said. “Nobody would be here without the coal mines. That’s the bottom line.”
SMS Equipment
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MS is one of the largest Komatsu dealers in the world with a network of business centres across Canada, and is your local equipment and solutions provider. SMS partners with Teck to provide new equipment, remanufactured components, mechanical and welding services and Parts. We rely heavily on the local mining industry and strive to be the No. 1 equipment and solutions provider to our customers.
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Ktunaxa and Teck sign historic Impact Management and Benefits Agreement
Submitted
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n May 17, 2016 the Ktunaxa Nation Council and Teck Resources Limited announced the signing of an Impact Management and Benefits Agreement that will create numerous long-term benefits for the Ktunaxa people and increased certainty around future sustainable mining development in the region.
The agreement relates to production at Teck’s steelmaking coal operations within Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis, (Ktunaxa Territory) in British Columbia’s Elk Valley region. Spanning approximately 40 years and all five operations, it is one of the most comprehensive agreements of its kind in place in Canada and sets out commitments for both parties in the areas of: • Consultation and engagement • Environment and land stewardship
Diversity at Teck • Employment and business opportunities for Ktunaxa citizens • Cultural resources management “As Ktunaxa, our roles as stewards and protectors of the land are vital to who we are,” said Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair at the time of the signing. “This agreement affirms the commitment the Ktunaxa Nation and Teck have to protecting and rehabilitating the environment, providing economic opportunities for Ktunaxa communities and citizens and protecting Ktunaxa culture and language.” “The strong relationship between the Ktunaxa Nation and Teck is fundamental to continued responsible resource development in the Elk Valley,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO, Teck at the signing ceremony. “This agreement reflects our shared focus on ensuring the environment is protected, while also providing sustainable economic opportunities for the people and communities of the region for years to come.” The agreement will be implemented through three joint working groups with equal representation from the Ktunaxa Nation Council and Teck: an Environmental Working Group, Cultural Working Group and Procurement and Employment Operational Working Group. Photos: Teck Submitted
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n 2016, Teck continued to work towards strengthening diversity across our company. Teck believes that a range of backgrounds and perspectives allows for more informed decisionmaking and, ultimately, a stronger company. As part of our commitment to supporting an inclusive and diverse workplace that recognizes and values difference, we established a formal Inclusion and Diversity Policy in 2016. Guided by this policy, we are implementing initiatives and training programs to further enhance inclusion and diversity at Teck, including working towards increasing the number of women and Indigenous Peoples in our workforce to better reflect the communities in which we operate. Teck Coal established a Diversity Committee in 2017 that includes senior leadership from across the Business Unit. Teck’s Inclusion and Diversity Policy Teck is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workplace that recognizes and values difference. We recognize that our diversity—the many different and unique things we individually and collectively bring to work each day—contributes to building a stronger workforce and a better company. Teck respects and appreciates differences in age, ethnicity, Indigenous origin or heritage, gender, physical attributes, beliefs, language, sexual orientation, education, nationality, social background and culture or other personal characteristics. We know that making the most of the wealth of
ideas, talents, skills, backgrounds and perspectives all around us—helps us to do more and be more— together. As such, we consciously work to create an environment that respects and values the diversity of the people and world around us. Teck promotes and fosters an inclusive and diverse workforce in order to: •Contribute to innovation and better decision making through exposure to increased perspectives and ideas. •Attract a broader pool of candidates and improved employee retention. •Build a strong workforce that is engaged and contributing to Teck’s social and economic goals. •Better reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Our commitment to inclusion and diversity is reflected in all levels of our company, beginning with our Board of Directors, which considers diversity in the selection criteria for new board members and senior management team appointments. An Executive Diversity Committee chaired by the Vice President of Human Resources, and with representation from senior management, guides development of Teck’s inclusion and diversity strategy and reviews progress. Teck’s focus on inclusion and diversity aligns with our company’s core values of integrity and respect. It is also explicitly reflected in our Charter of Corporate Responsibility, our Code of Ethics; our Code of Sustainable Conduct.
Tour the Elk Valley’s Steelmaking Coal Mines Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday July and August: Elkview Operations Call Sparwood Chamber of Commerce 250-425-2423 for information and to reserve a seat Saturday July: Greenhills Operations August: Fording River Operations Bus leaves Elkford Visitor Centre Call 250-865-4015 to reserve a seat Minimum five people for tour to operate; must pre-register. Tour length approximately two hours.
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Mine Rescue in the Valley
Photos: Free Press files
City Hall 501-3rd Ave., Box 190 Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 www.fernie.ca
Celebrating our mining heritage From the mayor, council and staff The City of Fernie
We recognize the support that the mines provide to our Elk Valley communities.
Proud Supporter of the Mining Community Industrial * Commercial * Residential Large or Small Projects * Service Calls * New Construction * Service Upgrade * Electric Heat Fire Alarm Installation * Thermography * Preventative Maintenance Home Automation * CCTV * Security * Data & Network Cabling * Access Control Systems Line Work * Pumps * Generators * Motors CRANBROOK, BC 1424 Industrial Rd 2 Fax: 250 426 7076 Tel: 250-426-7020 SPARWOOD, BC 125 Industrial Rd 3 Fax: 250 425 0063 Tel: 250-425-0060
Toll Free: 1-800-407-8090 www.martechelectrical.com
CASTLEGAR, BC 1700 Woodland Dr Fax: 250 365 2102 Tel: 250-365-2115
Heating & Cooling Specialists Complete Radiator Service Industrial Truck & Heavy Equipment Rad Flush • Heater Core Repair Automotive • Gas Tank Repair Steam Cleaning • Aluminum Welding BC & NARSA HD CERTIFIED Servicing Mining & Logging Since 1992 A-717 Douglas Fir Rd, Sparwood, B.C. 250-425-6413
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Mine Rescue Competition As one walks up the stairs at City Hall a small exhibit of mining memorabilia sits in cabinets against the wall. The mine rescue apparatus is especially noticeable for the cumbersome equipment that was in use over 100 years ago when Mine Rescue competitions began in earnest. Mining underground was harsh work, safety was How We Use It utmost in worker’s minds and so the necessity for mine rescue began and grew to what it is today. In the beginning training techniques and equipment were pretty primitive. According to the history found in files at City Hall, by 1909 explosions experienced in Coal is a key ingredient mines across B.C. led to the Mines Act being changed of steel by law to require self-sufficient oxygen breathing Mary Giuliano in the production machines to be available in every mine. As well, Mayor, City of Fernie supply stations for the training of rescue Steel goes intoessential almost everything groups were to be implemented by the government. we touch and use every day, that from It was determined an Elk Valley station should be placed at cell Hosmer as a central A year a team trained in the use of the phones andpoint. tablets, tolater fridges new equipment in place and by December of 1910 this team was using their andwas stoves. new found knowledge at an explosion at the Bellevue Mine in Alberta. Miners died on that day including a member of the Hosmer rescue team who lost his life after saving several others that were in the mine. Three years later a station was opened in Fernie with 73 men receiving training. Mine rescue has always been a big part of the Fernie landscape beginning with the Coal Creek mine How and thenWe withUse the Michel/Sparwood mines. Competitions became It a big part of mine rescue because it provided the team members an opportunity to practice skills, get to know each other on a personal level and to learn from each other. This helped when actual situations arose. There are still members of the public that aren’t aware that mine rescue goes, on and the effect it has on our area and the people involved. However that attends the competition will understand Coal is a anyone key ingredient what a huge impact it has on the participants and how much it is appreciated by all EXPORTS thein production of steel associated within mining any capacity. A great deal of training goes into becoming ready for competition and it also requires huge support from because these individuals put in a lot of hours Steel is goes into almost Canada thefamilies third largest everything 89% of Canadian steelmaking into becoming skilled at what they do. But at the end of the competition week the we touch and use every day, from coal comes from B.C. exporter ofcompetitors steelmaking sense of pride held by all is visible and regardless of what team wins cell phones and tablets, to fridges coal Australia consumed they South Korea & where Japan each is successful inafter enjoying companionship in an event they understand total B.C.’s of share largest the and thestoves. United States. and are competing against the finest. however exports, coal steelmaking The very first competition held in Fernie was on July 1, 1915 and it was held on the coal B.C. for demand China’s grounds of the first Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company office that is now City Hall. CANADA is on the Fernie teams competed in other places as well, with the rise. Coal Creek team winning the East Kootenay USA competitions four times and the Vancouver Island competition three times. With Joe Haile as captain, the local mine rescue teams continued to win many competitions, gaining a good reputation. In 1967, the Michel Colliery team AUSTRALIA captained by Fernie’s Bill Milburn won the East Kootenay competition. At Trail in June, the Michel team went on to capture the provincial crown and, at Coal Creek Mine at the first national competition ever to be held, became Canada’s champion in the country’s centennial year. In 1993 Fernie hosted the first Fernie Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition EXPORTS to promote the mining industry, the safety in the industry and the area as well. Only winners of the Provincial Competitions for theCoal current year and previous 40% ofMine theRescue world’s generates... year, in their respective province or state, would be eligible to attend. Canada the third largest 89%Fernie of Canadian population relies on Coal in the Elk Valley is was discovered by William in the steelmaking late 1800s. He coal comes exporter of steelmaking envisioned acoal bright future for this product and began to planfrom for41% aB.C. way to market for daily energy of the worlds coal after Australia consumed it. Today the building that hosted the original head office of theKorea Crow’s & South Japan electricityNest Coal B.C.’s of share largest the Company sits majestically as City Hall where the first competition wastotal held on Thermal coal is used in the and the United States. however exports, coal steelmaking the grounds.production Since then mining continues to be the backbone of the economy for of energy. 30% coal B.C. for demand China’s Fernie and the Elk Valley but this economic driver touches many other areas of the CANADA of global primary is on the rise. energy needs province and4 the outcountry. of every 10 The National Western people on theRegion planet Mine Rescue Competition (NWRMRC) has been USA organized and supported by the City of Fernie and is the largest international today rely on thermal 70% competitioncoal in Canada. The City partners with the North Westof Regional to produce the worlds Mine AUSTRALIA Rescue Competition numerous tasks. electricity.Committee who organize the competition’ssteel production NWRMRC teams have represented Canada at international competitions in the US, Sudbury Ontario and the Ukraine. Teams competing in the Fernie competition come from places as far away as the Northwestern United States, as well as Ontario, Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest REDUCING POVERTY Territories, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. and this year possibly from Alaska as well. 40% of the world’s Coal generates... This event showcases the skills and professionalism of safety teams in the mining population relies on industry. Since competition it continues to display the commitment of the 1.3the billion peoplebegan are currently 41% men and women participating for the prestigious title of “best of the best.” Volunteers coal for daily energy of the worlds without access to electricity. participating as accident victims add a sense of reality to the competition, and provide electricity Thermal coal used in themix, coalchair as part the energy these drama to theWithout tasks. As ofisof the organizing committee, on behalf of the City of people willgratitude needlessly remain in poverty. production of to energy. Fernie I offer sincere the many people and organizations that continue 30% of global primary to contribute and support in so many ways and have done so for so many years. This 4 out of every 10 energy needs year the National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition Thirteenth Biennial people on the8 planet will be held on September and 9, 2017.
Coal:
Coal:
today rely on thermal coal to produce electricity.
www.thefreepress.ca
Coal:
CR
How We Use It
Gl cr ho
Coal is aINFRASTRUCTURE key ingredient CRITICAL
in the production of steel
Globally and here at home, steel is used to build Steel goes into almost everything critical infrastructure such as housing, we touch and use every day, from hospitals and bridges.
cell phones and tablets, to fridges and stoves.
TR
St
TRANSPORTATION EXPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE CRITICAL Steel is used to help build our transit networks. Canada is the third largest
89% of Canadian steelmaking
Globally and here at home, steel is used toB.C. build coal comes from exporter of steelmaking critical infrastructure such as housing, coal after Australia Japan & South Korea consumed hospitals and bridges. the largest share of B.C.’s total and the United States. 630 CANADA kilograms of steelmaking coal is USA to produce an required average-sized car.
steelmaking coal exports, however China’s demand for B.C. coal 30,000 tonnes is on the rise.
of steelmaking coal was used to build the new Canada Line rapid transit system connecting Richmond & Vancouver.
AUSTRALIA
GR
St in
TRANSPORTATION
40% of the world’s Coal generates... population relies Steel is used to help buildon our transit networks. 41% GREEN ENERGY coal for daily energy of the worlds
Win sys and
electricity
Thermal coal is used in the Steel and steelmaking production of energy. coal play a critical role 30%
of global primary in the production of green energy technology.
4 out of every 10
energy needs
Wind turbines, tidal power & bio-energy 630 kilograms tonnes people on the solar planetpanels,30,000 systems all rely on coal to helpcoal bring sustainable oftoday steelmaking coalsteelmaking is of steelmaking was used to build rely on thermal 70% and renewable energy to the world. coal to produce required to produce an the new Canada Line rapid transit system of the worlds electricity. steel production average-sized car. connecting Richmond & Vancouver.
42
1.3 billion people are currently without access to electricity.
21 15 14 5% 3%
GREEN ENERGY
Without coal as part of the energy mix, these people will needlessly remain in poverty.
Thermal coal plays a critical roleain the role Steel and steelmaking coal play critical production of affordable and dependable in the production of green energy technology. power throughout thetidal world. Wind turbines, solar panels, power & bio-energy
systems all rely on steelmaking coal to help bring sustainable Today, the world’s electricity created and renewable energy to the is world. from the following sources:
42% Coal
21% Natural Gas 15% Hydroelectric 14% Nuclear 5% Oil 3% Renewables
Th pr po
To fro
REDUCING POVERTY
42 % COA L
70%
of the worlds steel production
630 of s req ave
Thermal coal plays a critical role in the production of affordable and dependable power throughout the world.
Credit: Coal Alliance