Teck Resources is launching two new electric passenger buses to transport its employees to and from their Fording River and Greenhills operations in the Elk Valley.
The announcement was made on Tuesday as the electric passenger buses will effectively replace the diesel buses currently in Teck’s 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,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck Resources. “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 Resources said the switch to electric passenger buses is the first use for employee transport in the Canadian mining industry, providing a more cost-effective, comfortable employee transportation option.
“It’s great to see Teck taking action on climate change within every aspect of their operations,” said Michelle Mungall, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “Switching from diesel to electric buses for employee transportation supports our government’s CleanBC plan, and is another example of the strong leadership and innovation shown by BC’s mining industry.”
The new electric buses will reportedly reduce costs by 50% over a 10 to 12-year lifespan in comparison to a standard diesel bus, which will be the equivalent of taking 10 combustion engine cars off the road through its reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Teck Resources said the buses are also wrapped with graphics displaying the role of mining products in a “low-carbon future”. According to Teck, it takes 170 tonnes of steelmaking coal to produce one wind turbine and the requirement of copper to build electric vehicles.
Teck claims they have reduced 289,000 tonnes of GHG emissions since 2011 through their implemented projects and initiatives.
