Teck Resources Ltd. announced that the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant in Trail is now operating and successfully capturing carbon dioxide (CO2).
The innovative addition to Teck Trail Operations separates CO2 from the acid plant flue gas at a rate of one tonne per day and will operate through 2024 for testing and data collection purposes.
“This is an important milestone as we advance our understanding of the potential of carbon capture technology to reduce emissions at our operations,” said Teck CEO Jonathan Price in a release. “This project is part of Teck’s ongoing work to take action on climate change and achieve our long-term goal of net-zero operations by 2050.”
Teck’s Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) pilot project is also evaluating options for the utilization and/or storage of the captured CO2 at Trail Operations.
The Teck release also added that the CCUS pilot supports Teck’s Net-Zero Climate Change Strategy, including its goal to reduce the carbon intensity of Teck operations by 33 per cent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Teck received a $10-million grant from the province’s CleanBC Industry Fund to help fund the CCUS Pilot Plant Feasibility Study and development of a CO2 storage pilot project.
Mercer Celgar in Castlegar received $5-million from the same fund in 2022.
According to the Teck release, the CleanBC Industry Fund highlights the alignment between industry and government in achieving Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Teck Trail Operations is also currently advancing the potential development of a large-scale electric vehicle battery recycling facility.
Trail Operations’ current recycling program includes lead batteries, zinc alkaline batteries, and cathode ray tube (CRT) glass.