Evolve Royalties Ltd. is monitoring a strike at Teck Resources Limited’s Highland Valley Copper mine in British Columbia because the disruption may affect payments tied to its stake in the operation.
Teck reported Oct. 24 that the mine was operating at reduced capacity after United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7619 began strike action, as EconoTimes reported when the walkout began. Teck has not put a figure on lost copper production.
Evolve said Oct. 26 that it holds a 0.51% interest in the mine’s net profits. It provided no estimate of how the strike might affect payments from that interest.
In an earlier update, Evolve reported receiving C$1,189,900 from Highland Valley Copper between Jan. 1 and June 1. It expected two or three payments a year. Those receipts predate the strike.
Highland Valley Copper produced 83,000 tonnes of copper in the first six months of 2026. Before the walkout, Teck forecast full-year production of 115,000 to 135,000 tonnes. Teck said the duration of the strike would determine its effect on production.
The mine’s collective agreement expired Sept. 30. Local 7619 says it represents about 1,200 workers and said its proposals address staffing, wages and pensions. Teck said a new agreement must address employee treatment and the operation’s viability.
Teck is building an extension intended to keep Highland Valley Copper operating through 2046. Its capital estimate for the project is C$2.1 billion to C$2.4 billion. The union cited the extension while pressing for better compensation.
Teck is scheduled to release third-quarter results before the market opens Thursday, Oct. 29, followed by a conference call at 11 a.m. ET (15:00 UTC). It has not promised to provide a strike update at the event.
