Union files complaint against Orla Mining, alleging violation of worker rights in Mexico
The complaint is only the second of its kind made from Canada using CUSMA’s RRM process since the trade deal came into force in 2020.
Teck Resources (TSE: TECK.B) dropped the most in three years after cutting its forecast for steelmaking coal as extreme weather and rail blockades disrupted output at a time when the coronavirus outbreak is threatening demand.
The Vancouver-based company will temporarily reduce production and shut down its Neptune shipping terminal, it said Friday in its quarterly earnings report. The move will help address high levels of inventory and allow it to move forward with an upgrade at the Neptune facility.
It’s been a tough period for Teck, as profit in 2019 was hurt by slumping coal prices and a C$910 million ($686 million) after-tax writedown on its stake in the Fort Hills oil-sands mine. Permitting delays and unrest in Chile will affect the cost of the company’s Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project. A new schedule and updated capital estimate for that is planned for the first quarter.
Teck dropped as much as 13% after the start of regular trading in Toronto, the most intraday since May 2016
Teck dropped as much as 13% after the start of regular trading in Toronto, the most intraday since May 2016, and was down 11% as of 9:55 a.m. in Toronto.
The miner is also waiting for approval from the Canadian federal government on its Frontier oil-sands project in Alberta. A negative decision could result in an additional impairment of about C$1.13 billion, Teck said. It expects a decision by the end of the month.
Work to upgrade the Neptune Bulk Terminals will include a five-month shutdown from May to September, with completion of the work expected in the first quarter of 2021. If that’s delayed, “we may limit our production and sales temporarily on expiry of our contract with Westshore Terminals.” The miner has expressed frustration in its dealings with Westshore Terminals Investment Corp. and has been shifting steelmaking coal freight to its own facility as a result.
“Given the potential for weaker demand in the short-term due to the effects of the coronavirus and the high inventory levels due to rail and port constraints, we are choosing to temporarily reduce production,” Teck said. “The extent and duration of impacts that the coronavirus may have on the demand and prices for our commodities, on our suppliers and employees, and on global financial markets is not known at this time, but could be material.”
(By Liezel Hill and Danielle Bochove)
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