Teck Resources, a prominent copper and zinc miner, is exploring the possibility of establishing a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in British Columbia, as revealed by CEO Jonathan Price during the SAFE Critical Minerals Summit in Washington, D.C. If realized, the Vancouver-based recycling plant would emerge as the largest of its kind on North America’s western coast, with the capacity to recycle approximately 35,000 metric tons of battery material annually. Price refrained from providing a cost estimate for the proposed facility but indicated that it would be equipped to process batteries from around 140,000 electric vehicles each year. Emphasizing the potential for Teck to contribute significantly to the circular economy, Price highlighted the company’s interest in playing a more substantial role in sustainable materials management. The move by Teck reflects a broader trend among mining companies to venture into the recycling sector, driven by growing consumer and regulatory support for circular economy practices that promote resource reuse and sustainability. Notably, other industry players like Albemarle and Glencore have also announced initiatives to integrate recycling into their operations, signaling a shift towards more environmentally conscious and resource-efficient practices within the mining and metals sector.
Teck Resources Considers Building Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Plant in British Columbia