ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT: NGOs, tribes appeal new water permit for Red Dog mine

ALASKA — Two non-profit law firms, local tribes and environmental organizations have banded together to appeal the water discharge permit recently issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for continuing operation of the Red Dog zinc mine owned by Teck Resources of Vancouver. The group filed its appeal against the State of Alaska, saying that the state should not have certified the permit because certain provisions within it do not comply with the Clean Water Act. A successful appeal might mean revising or revoking the permit.

Teck has officially stated that it believes the regulatory process has been "robust and appropriate," further pointing to years of data documenting a healthy downstream environment.

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing the permit application to mine the Aqqaluk deposit, the next step in Red Dog development. Other state and local permits required for the project were received in December 2009. If delays in the receipt of permits or appeals of them extend beyond Q1 2010, Teck expects there will be a reduction or interruption of Red Dog production.

More information about the Aqqaluk project is available at www.Teck.com.