The Sullivan Mine, located in Kimberley, British Columbia, was a major producer of lead, zinc and silver that operated from 1909-2001.

For nearly 100 years, the Sullivan Mine was critical to the social and economic fabric of the community. At the time of closure, the Sullivan Mine was the largest single contributor to Kimberley’s tax base and the city’s largest employer.  

Almost 20 years have passed since the mine closed. Over that time, Kimberley has transitioned from a mining community to a booming tourist and retirement destination. The community remains vibrant and successful.

By 1990, there was confirmation that Sullivan Mine’s reserves would be exhausted by 2001. A detailed closure plan was developed, and more than 30 community and stakeholder meetings were held to review and comment on the proposed reclamation plans.  

Lower Mine Yard in mid 1900s and in 2020 

Teck worked with the Sullivan Public Liaison Committee and others to develop a plan to transition the city away from economic dependence on the mine. Working together, Teck and its community partners sought ways to maintain the vitality of the community by re-purposing portions of the mine to capitalize on the natural landscape, climate and location – all uniquely suited to attract a vibrant tourist trade.

Since closure in 2001, the Sullivan Mine has been carefully managed according to regulatory requirements, Teck’s own standards and the standards of the Mining Association of Canada. An active comprehensive management program is in place and work continues to address  challenges related to more than 100 years of active mining at the site.

The Sullivan Mine currently employs more than 20 staff members and contractors.  A significant number of Teck employees as well as contractors and suppliers live and work in Kimberley, contributing to the ongoing responsible management of the now-closed Sullivan Mine. Our team takes great pride in maintaining strong community partnerships.  
 

SunMine

Teck expanded its post-mining community investments beyond recreational amenities and real estate when it collaborated with the City of Kimberley and other partners to construct a solar power facility on fully reclaimed Sullivan Mine land.    SunMine is truly a community endeavor. The City of Kimberley initially co-financed and owned SunMine while Teck initially provided the land and donated $2 million to the project. In January 2020, Teck announced the purchase of SunMine from the City of Kimberley. BC Hydro purchases the solar-generated electricity. Learn more

Water Management and Treatment

Water management and treatment is ongoing at Sullivan to ensure protection of the area’s water resources. Current activities include collection of mine-influenced water from underground workings and waste facilities.  The management systems include more than 25 pumps and 30 km of pipeline to collect water and convey it to the Drainage Water Treatment Plant located southwest of Marysville. These systems are continually monitored, maintained and upgraded, and research is ongoing to ensure the best methods to manage water for the long term. Learn more

Land Management

Teck continues to maintain over 3,000 hectares of private property in and around the City of Kimberley. In cooperation with conservation groups, Teck currently allows limited recreational access to roughly 450 hectares of land. Each year, Teck treats between 30 to 50 hectares of forested land in and around Kimberley to minimize the risk of wildfires. In 2019, Teck partnered with the Kimberley Trail Society (KTS) to formalize the use and maintenance of popular hiking and mountain biking trails located on Teck property within Kimberley city limits. Teck is currently a Platinum sponsor of the KTS to ensure that these trails are kept safe and fun for years to come. Learn more

Teck Public Access Boundaries

For your safety and ours, please observe the no entry, no hunting, and no shooting boundaries at Teck’s Sullivan operations. See the map of restricted areas here.

Community Investment 

The Sullivan Mine Team takes great pride in maintaining strong community relationships. The team is pleased to support local initiatives through Teck’s Community Investment Program. Contributions are available for charitable organizations, institutions and initiatives that focus on health, education, environment and community. To learn more and find out if your organization is eligible visit the Teck Community Investment Program. 

Over the past five years, Teck has been actively collaborating with the Kimberley Trail Society (KTS) to develop and maintain a network of outdoor trails that cater to a wide range of recreational activities. As part of our dedication to community investment, we recognize the importance of promoting active lifestyles, connecting people to nature, and supporting the overall well-being of Kimberley’s community members. 

KTS plays a vital role in developing and maintaining the extensive trail network in the area. Through our partnership with KTS, we aim to foster the growth and sustainability of the trails, ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors. 
Over the past years, Teck has provided funding and formalized agreements to help support KTS’s goals and ensure the long-term sustainability of the trails. We understand the importance of preserving the natural environment while promoting outdoor recreation, and our collaboration with KTS aligns with these principles. Learn more about the Kimberley Trails Society.

Community Engagement

A multi-stakeholder Sullivan Public Liaison Committee was originally formed in the 1990s to help the community with the transition through closure. A similar committee was re-launched as the Sullivan Liaison Committee (SLC) from 2020 to 2024 as a venue for sharing information and facilitating discussion about future mine-related activities and initiatives, including the launch of the Sullivan Mine Information Day. To learn more and see recent meeting notes, visit the Teck Sullivan Liaison Committee. The Sullivan Information Program (SIP) encompasses Teck’s ongoing  and future community engagement activities throughout Kimberley and area. Public information sessions, biennial Sullivan Mine Information Days (and site tours), and engagement with First Nations, community groups, and municipal and provincial government will continue. If you would like to be kept informed of upcoming SIP events, please email legacyproperties@teck.com.