Teck under fire for keeping Kootenay coal mines open

Teck currently has four steelmaking coal operations in the Elk Valley region of British Columbia. Credit: Teck Resources

Teck Resources is facing allegations of putting workers at risk of contracting covid-19 and spreading the virus into the nearby communities by keeping coal operations open in the east Kootenay region of British Columbia.

According to The Globe and Mail, a local resident wrote a letter to Teck's management and its board on April 5, alleging that the conditions inside the mine have "likely enabled the spread of covid-19 amongst its employees and contractors, their families, and the community at large."

Citing testimonials from Teck employees, the resident also brought up issues of protective equipment shortages, crowded commuter buses and packed site vehicles, which meant there is "an absolute impossibility to self-distance because of the nature of the work."

The resident said she had previously tried to raise these concerns with Teck's senior management, but mining operations continued.

This is not the first time that Teck has been accused of placing its workers and communities at risk. On March 20, a report published by The Narwhal detailed the fears and concerns of the company's precautionary measures - or lack thereof - against spread of covid-19 into communities in BC.

Teck responded last week by temporarily cutting production by 50% at both its coal mines in BC and copper operations in Alberta to reduce the risk of covid-19.