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Teck breaks ground on new zero-carbon office building

Herald contributor photo. Ground breaking event at the site of the new office in Sparwood.

Nicholas L. M. Allen

Aug 30, 2023

Teck has broken ground on its zero-carbon office building in Sparwood.

Teck Resources Limited (Teck) announced on August 28 it has broken ground on its zero-carbon office building in Sparwood, BC. The new 121,500-square foot facility will bring together approximately 580 Teck employees in the Elk Valley into one sustainable new space.

“Our steelmaking coal operations have a proud history in the Elk Valley and a bright future ahead responsibly providing an essential material to the world. This new office is a big part of that future, creating a modern space for our employees as they work every day to ensure responsible mining that delivers social and economic benefits to the entire region,” said Robin Sheremeta, the Senior Vice President of Coal at Teck.

The company claims consolidating multiple Teck offices in Sparwood into one modern facility will integrate operations and departments and provide capacity to meet current and future forecasted workforce needs, and enhancing working conditions for staff. 

The new facility, expected to be completed in 2025, will also offer ‘secure bike storage’ and will be easily accessible from the pedestrian tunnel under Highway 3.

This project will incorporate sustainable design technologies including energy efficient lighting, EV charging stations, drought-resistant landscaping that utilizes native plants to negate the need for irrigation, and water-efficient fixtures such as sinks, toilets and showers to reduce impact on the local watershed. 

“This building sets the gold star that we need to meet our carbon goals and achieve our community development plans. Teck is once again demonstrating its commitment to operating sustainably and responsibly in Sparwood and the Elk Valley. As the biggest employer in the region, the economic benefits are tremendous, and we are excited to continue working with Teck as a community partner,” said David Wilks, Mayor of Sparwood. 

The building will also be certified by the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) under Zero-Carbon Building Standards, the BC Energy Step Code Two and CleanBC and the requirements set by these certifications will exceed those required by the Zero Carbon Building Standard. A zero-carbon building is highly energy-efficient and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from building materials and operations.

In the announcement on August 28, they said the new office aligns with Teck’s commitment to taking action on climate change and builds on Teck’s support of Sparwood’s community development plans. In 2022, Teck donated $1 million toward revitalizing Centennial Plaza to create a community space for local residents and visitors. 

Teck said they are committed to ongoing responsible mining operations in the Elk Valley to support a sustainable, long-term future for the benefit of employees, local communities and Indigenous Peoples. 

According to Teck, their operations in the Elk Valley support 40 per cent of all jobs in Southeast BC, 80 per cent of the region’s total GDP and directly provides jobs for more than 5,000 people.

Visit teck.com to learn more about the company and its work in the area.

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