B.C. chief raises concerns about Teck-Anglo merger’s effect on First Nations

Teck Resources' Highland Valley Copper Mine is seen near Logan Lake, B.C., on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Teck Resources marked the start of construction on the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project that will extend the life of Canada's largest copper mine from 2028 to 2046. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A First Nations chief in the southern British Columbia Interior says he’s concerned the proposed merger between Teck Resources Ltd. and Anglo American PLC will ignore Indigenous rights and title.

Vancouver-based Teck and U.K.-based Anglo American announced plans earlier this month to join forces and create a $70-billion copper mining giant with its headquarters in Canada.

Chief Clarence Louie of the Osooyos Indian Band says a deal of that scale has the potential to have significant affects on First Nations and can’t be completed without Indigenous inclusion.

Louie says his community has experienced significant impacts without benefits over the century the smelter owned by Teck has operated in Trail, B.C.

Teck spokesman Dale Steeves says the company has been in touch with the band about the proposed merger and looks forward to discussing it further.

He says the combined company — to be called Anglo-Teck — would commit to maintaining and enhancing commitments to Indigenous communities.

The two companies have committed about $4.5 billion in spending in Canada over five years as part of the deal, though a significant portion of that has already been announced by Teck.

That includes up to $750 million to add copper and zinc refining to the Trail smelter, which currently handles zinc and lead. The expansion would not alter the existing footprint of the industrial site.

Louie said it’s “unconscionable” for Teck to be publicly talking about expanding the smelter without talking to First Nations about it.

“We call upon the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, Industry Minister, Mélanie Joly, and B.C. Premier, David Eby, to direct the leadership of these two companies to work with us before any deal is approved,” Louie said.

“We look forward to being invited to meet to discuss this deal as soon as possible.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2025.