B.C.'s biggest mining company, Teck Resources has announced a $20 million fund, to be spent in the areas it operates, including B.C. and Chile, to help communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation will include one million N95 masks for B.C.
"We have created a $20-million fund that will provide direct support to critical services in communities where we operate," Teck CEO Don Lindsay is in a news release.
"This includes procuring essential medical supplies, donating to medical research, supporting local healthcare and social services affected by COVID-19, and contributing to international relief efforts.
“The global health crisis posed by COVID-19 is unlike anything previously faced by companies, by families, and by communities. The scope and severity of this pandemic requires all of us to step up and do our part."
Teck has already procured one million N95 masks, which will be delivered to B.C. "in the coming weeks," the company said.
Some of the funding for Canada includes:
- $250,000 to the Canadian Red Cross
- $250,000 to Vancouver General Hospital and University of BC Hospital Foundation for research into COVID-19 therapeutics
- a community response fund for Canada, Alaska and Chile to help local community organizations affected by the pandemic
Teck will also be donating medical supplies to hospitals in the Tarapaca and Coquimbo regions of Chile, where the company operates mines.
The company, which is a major copper producer, will also make a $1 million donation for increased use of copper for sanitation purposes.
Copper has antiviral properties.
Whereas viruses like COVID-19 can remain active on stainless steel surfaces for many hours or even days, copper has properties that appears to kill viruses quickly.
