Desert . The project incorporates a fullscale desalination plant , 100 % renewable power , and 22 agreements with local communities and indigenous groups . Jonathan views this approach as a competitive advantage , believing that “ opportunities for new projects and development of new projects will go increasingly to those of us in the industry who do take ESG very seriously ”.
Beyond environmental considerations , Jonathan emphasises the importance of community relations and local expertise . “ You need to make sure you are engaging with those communities ,” he says . “ You need to make sure you are really listening and understanding what ’ s important to those communities .”.
This localised approach extends to Teck ’ s operations globally , from Chile to Alaska , where each site presents unique challenges and opportunities .
Jonathan is also keenly aware of the industry ’ s role in addressing global biodiversity loss . Teck has committed to working towards a nature-positive future by 2030 , pledging to “ conserve and reclaim at least three hectares for every one hectare of land that we affect through mining ”.
This initiative aligns with broader industry efforts , with Jonathan revealing that the International Council on Mining and Metals ( ICMM ) will soon announce similar commitments across its membership .
On the critical minerals front , Jonathan sees a significant shift in market dynamics . “ There ’ s a huge opportunity there of course for capital markets
CREDIT : TECK RESOURCES
“ Having a strong ESG record is essential to be able to build and operate mines ”
JONATHAN PRICE , PRESIDENT & CEO , TECK RESOURCES
because the demand outlook for some of the metals very closely linked to electrification is extremely compelling ”, he observes . However , he also notes the challenge of underinvestment in the sector over the past decade , which has left many companies scrambling to meet growing demand .
But he says Teck is well-positioned in this regard .
“ We ’ ve maintained significant exploration programmes over many decades and we ’ ve done that through cycles ”, Jonathan explains . “ We actually now have a significant portfolio of projects in our portfolio that are capable of execution ”.
Digital transformation is another key focus for Teck under Jonathan ’ s leadership . The company has embraced advanced analytics and machine learning
22 November 2024