Teck switches to electric buses for Elk Valley employee transport

23rd October 2019 By: Mariaan Webb - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Teck switches to electric buses for Elk Valley employee transport

Diversified mining group Teck Resources will use electric buses to transport its employees to, and from, its Fording River and Greenhills steelmaking coal operations, in British Columbia’s Elk Valley region.

The two electric buses, which Teck says are the first to be used in the Canadian mining industry for transporting employees, will replace diesel buses in its fleet.

“Taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy and cost efficiency at our operations is a key part of our approach to responsible mining,” Teck president and CEO Don Lindsay said on Tuesday.

“These electric buses are made possible by mining products like steelmaking coal and copper, demonstrating the important role that our industry products play in supporting the important global transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Teck wrapped the buses with graphics illustrating the role of mining products in a low-carbon future. This includes the fact that it takes 170 t of steelmaking coal to produce a wind turbine and the requirement of copper to build electric vehicles.

Teck noted that the use of each electric bus would be the equivalent of taking ten combustion engine cars off the road.

The buses are also quieter to operate and reduce noise for employees and communities.