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E D IT OR'S C O MMENTS Ellswor th D ic kson Teck Resources commended for its Zinc & Health program When one thinks of mining, zinc deficiency in children doesn't usually come to mind. However, such is the case for Vancouver-based Teck Resources Ltd., Canada's largest diversified mining company and a major zinc miner. Teck was recently commended by GBCHealth for its Zinc & Health program at their annual Business Action on Health Awards in New York. GBCHealth is a coalition of over 200 companies and organizations with the objective of improving the health of their employees, the communities in which they operate and the world in general. Teck's Zinc & Health Program, launched in 2011, is an initiative aimed at reducing child mortality from diarrhea-related illnesses due to zinc deficiency. Although not a problem in developed countries, zinc deficiency in children is a common problem in developing countries. Indeed, zinc deficiency contributes to the deaths of almost 450,000 children under five years old, each year. Zinc deficiency is the result of plant based diets; plant based diets, which are poor sources of zinc, are common in developing countries. Teck is of the view that zinc treatments and supplementation are the most cost-effective ways to help children suffering from a zinc deficiency. These programs cost less than $0.50 for a 10-14 day course of zinc treatments and oral rehydration salts to treat acute diarrhea and save a child's life. Teck's Zinc & Health Program includes five components: therapeutic zinc, zinc supplementation, food fortification, crop nutrition and awareness, and advocacy. The company's comprehensive programs are operating in Senegal, Nepal, Peru and China. There is also a partnership with BASF, the world's leading chemical company. The program has been very successful, supporting UNICEF in the distribution of 12 million packets of micronutrient powder in Nepal and mobilizing community health workers in Senegal to provide zinc and oral rehydration salts to treat child diarrhea. The program educates farmers in China about zinc fertilizer and its ability to improve crop yield and nutritional quality. The problem of zinc deficiency in children is not due to low zinc production. Amazingly, the amount of zinc needed for solving world zinc deficiency is less than 0.2% of global zinc production. The challenge is getting zinc into the diets of people suffering from zinc deficiency. This objective requires education, better distribution networks and greater awareness of the dangers of zinc deficiency. Teck has worked at three levels to raise awareness: Within its own workforce, Teck engaged employees from all levels and business units to grow the program. Social media has been utilized to raise public consciousness on zinc's potential to save lives. Strategic partnerships have been developed with governments, private sector businesses and implementing organizations to leverage strengths and improve access to zinc in the developing world. With some of the general public harbouring a negative view of mining, it is gratifying to see a major Canadian miner commended for taking positive steps to make the world a better place. 2013 FRASER RIVER GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIPS The 2013 Fraser River Gold Panning Championships will be held at Anderson Creek Campground (Boston Bar, British Columbia) August 22-25 2013. Anderson Creek Campground is one hour north of Hope on the Highway #1 three km before Boston Bar. If coming from North on Highway #1, Anderson Creek Campground is roughly one hour drive from Cache Creek heading south to Boston Bar. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 604 867 9089 or Yukon Dan at 604 948 4941. n Ellsworth Dickson, Editor-in-Chief Email: editor@resourceworld.com T: 604 484 3800 | 1 877 484 3800 JULY 2013 www.resourceworld.com 5