The project in British Columbia is considered one of the largest fully integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complexes globally.

For the report, Teck brought PricewaterhouseCoopers to confirm "that production of each tonne (t) of SHG zinc from Trail Operations generates 0.93 t of CO2e, or carbon dioxide equivalent, compared to the estimated global average of 3-4 t of CO2e p/t of zinc production."

The low emissions were achieved through Trail sourcing hydroelectric power from Waneta Dam. Additionally, the company's primary concentrate source is its Red Dog mine in Alaska which Tech said has a low carbon intensity.

The Red Dog mine is thought to be one of the largest zinc mines and deposits in the world.  

"Zinc is a critical mineral, important for its role in protecting infrastructure and in technologies for the low carbon transition," said Jonathan Price, chief executive. "Teck is focused on responsibly producing this critical mineral with a reduced carbon footprint and meeting the highest environmental and social standards."

The Trail operation has a production capacity of 310,000 t of refined zinc.