There has been a change in senior management at Highland Valley Copper (HVC).
General manager Chris Dechert will be leaving the mine near Logan Lake to assume the role of vice-president of copper operations for Teck Chile, based in Santiago.

Greg Brouwer, HVC’s current manager of operations, will be succeeding Dechert as general manager as of April 1.

Dechert joined Teck in 2009 as general manager at HVC. During his tenure as GM, he led the mine through a number of projects, including a major mine life extension and the mill-optimization project, while improving cost and production performance.

Prior to joining Teck, Dechert was vice-president of corporate development for Teck’s Antamina joint venture in Peru.

Brouwer joined Teck in 1998 as a mine engineer and, since that time, has held more senior engineering, operating and corporate roles within Teck.

Before joining HVC, Brouwer co-developed courageous safety leadership and was director of the zinc nutrient initiative with the International Zinc Association and was responsible for a global market development initiative designed to promote the benefits of zinc fertilizer in increasing crop productivity and improving global human health.

Highland Valley Copper produces copper and molybdenum in concentrate and employs more than 1,400 people.

Its mine life is set to continue to 2027.

— Kamloops This Week