The first three months of 2025 proved profitable for the Teck Trail Operation.
The company says the smelter that has overlooked the city since 1896 recorded a first quarter profit of $80 million, a stark contract from the $8 million dollar loss during the same period last year.
Teck laid off 38 Trail employees in early Dec, saying it was part of a plan to turn the operation back into a money-making venture.
A tough third quarter of 2024 for the Teck Trail Operation included a rail strike and a fire in the electrolytic plant.
The company also initiated a $1.1-billion write-off of assets, resulting in losses during the first nine months of the year totaling $81 million, which it pared down to $66 million by year end.
Teck says its concentration on money making decisions in the first three months of this year included a reduction in production of refined zinc and an increase in the production of refined lead.
Company figures indicate it made 58,300 tonnes of refined zinc, which is 5,200 tonnes less than Jan, Feb and Mar of last year.
Production of refined lead came in at 23,000 tonnes, an increase of 6,500 tonnes.
Teck’s first quarter news release also stated that the Kivcet Boiler worked at a much higher capacity. It was replaced in 2024.
The company reported a first quarter operating cost of $136 million in Trail, which was $13 million less than 2024.
The $622 million in local revenue was $152 million more than the first three months of last year, according to Teck’s first quarter financial report.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.
