水quality challenges in the Elk Valley are connected to the long history of mining in the region. The mining process generates large quantities of leftover rock that contains naturally-occurring substances such as selenium, an element that is essential for human and animal health in small amounts. Water from both precipitation and runoff flows through these rock piles and carries selenium and other substances, such as nitrate, into the local watershed. If present in high enough concentrations in the watershed, these substances can adversely affect aquatic health.

我们正在进行广泛的研究和监测水质和水生健康，其包括常规水质采样在麋鹿山谷的大约100个站点上。迄今为止，区域监测表明，目前的硒和其他物质水平不受鱼类或鸟类的影响。监测表明，由于水处理，硒浓度在线小溪的下游减少了我们的运营水处理设施下游，并且我们预计为前进和埃尔卡维设施达到了进一步的减少。

Sharing Monitoring Results
泰克致力于与stakeh透明olders as we implement the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan. We make data and results from ongoing water quality, aquatic and animal health research and monitoring undertaken as part of the Plan available, and we will continue to share those results going forward. This includes Annual Reports completed by an Environmental Monitoring Committee comprised of an independent scientist and representatives from the B.C. Government, Ktunaxa Nation Council, Interior Health Authority, and Teck. Monitoring reports related to the Elk Valley Water Quality Plancan be found here.

2019 Fish Counts

As part of our planned monitoring, the results of the 2019 Westslope Cutthroat Trout fish counts were 74% lower for juveniles and 93% lower for adults than the 2017 counts in the Fording River upstream of Josephine Falls. Fish counts for juveniles were 96% lower in Harmer Creek and 25% lower in Grave Creek, while fish counts for adults were 26% lower in Harmer Creek and 25% higher in Grave Creek compared to 2018 counts. Harmer and Grave Creeks are located in watersheds adjacent to Teck’s Line Creek and Elkview Operations and flow into the Elk River 4.5 km south of the confluence of the Elk and Fording Rivers.最终的上福特河报告可以在这里找到。

The reasons for the lower fish counts are unknown at this time. Teck has established a team of external experts led by Beth Power, a Registered Professional Biologist and Approved Professional with over 30-years experience, to evaluate possible causes and deliver a report. Using science and local knowledge, the expert team is examining a range of possible causes including water quality, water use, predation, food availability and algae among others.

tis also working with the Ktunaxa Nation Council, government regulators, the Environmental Monitoring Committee and the Elk Valley Fish and Fish Habitat Committee to gather more data, evaluate possible causal factors and address ongoing protection of fish. We are taking precautionary measures to limit handling and sampling of fish and limit water use at our operations during low-flow periods.

Teck对可持续发展的方法包括一个全面的研发计划，导致开发突破性技术，包括：

• 饱和岩石填充技术治疗越野撞击水。亚搏体育官方网站app

• 开发新的硝酸盐防治技术，使用衬里，防止硝酸盐爆炸物与水接触。

thas more than 25 research and development projects underway, including the advancement of smaller, in-situ water treatment facilities that can be built closer to where treatment is needed.

该生物处理方法通过包括以下步骤的方法去除硝酸盐并将硒转化为固体形式：

• 将溶解形式转化为固体形式的生物处理

• 硝酸盐转化为惰性氮气和安全释放

• Solid selenium is extracted and safely disposed of in a secure onsite waste facility

• 处理过的水被排出

清洁的水转道涉及建造土堤或其他物理障碍和/或管道，以指导净水周围采矿活动。