OREANDA-NEWS. Teck Trail Operations will be undertaking a major maintenance shutdown this fall to ensure the continued reliability of our operations. The maintenance shutdown will entail an investment of USD 45 million and involves a number of different contract companies and approximately 700 contract employees. The project is scheduled to run from early October through to mid-November.

"Throughout this project, our focus will continuously be on the safety of our employees and our contractors, and ensuring they all go home safe and healthy every day," said Greg Belland, General Manager. "Teck Trail Operations has spent over a year planning the maintenance shutdown, with a priority focus on the Health and Safety Program."

Health and safety considerations for the project include a full safety management team, employee training and development of specialized equipment and jobsite procedures to reduce risk.

The maintenance work will focus on the Lead Smelter area, including our KIVCET Furnace, although maintenance activities will be taking place throughout the site. The efficient operation of the Lead Smelter is key to the continued environmental performance and economic success of Trail Operations.

Linde LLC operates an Air Separation Unit (ASU) adjacent to Teck Trail Operations that supplies the site with oxygen and nitrogen necessary in its production processes.

"During the Teck Trail Operations maintenance shutdown, Linde will also shut down its ASU for an extensive upgrade," said Neil Moon, Manager for the Linde plant. "The project will require about 200 contractors made up mostly of local workers. When completed, the plant will provide our customers with improved plant reliability for the future."

The Linde plant overhaul will include a cooling water project to create a more efficient system that will use considerably less water in the cooling process. It will also include refurbishing and replacing several compressors, an upgrade to the control system and installing new instruments and analyzers, as well as other process equipment. When completed, the plant will provide Linde's customers with improved reliability for the future.