6-K 1 form6k_010809.htm REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
 



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Section 13a-16 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Dated: January 8, 2009

 

Commission File Number: 001-13184

 

TECK COMINCO LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Suite 3300 – 500 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 0B3

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F                  Form 40-F   X   

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).            

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):                                               

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes                  No   X   

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____



 

 


 


 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

Teck Cominco Limited

(Registrant)

 

 

 


Date: January 8, 2009

 

By:


/s/ KAREN L. DUNFEE

 

 

 

Karen L. Dunfee

Corporate Secretary






 

For Immediate Release

Date: January 8, 2009

09-01-TC

 

 

Teck Announces Global Workforce Reduction of 13%

and 2009 Coal Production Plan

 

Vancouver BC - Teck Cominco Limited (TSX: TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) today announced that it will reduce its global workforce by about 1,400 positions, or 13%, as part of its broader strategy to reduce costs and bolster competitiveness in the face of persistently weak commodity prices. The workforce reduction is expected to generate annual savings of approximately $85 million. Teck also said it plans to reduce coal production in 2009 to 20 million tonnes due to declining global steel demand.

Each strategic business unit is adjusting personnel levels to protect operating margins given difficult commodity markets. The company is also significantly reducing staff and contractors associated with exploration activities and research and development. Finally, the workforce reductions will eliminate redundancies at the corporate level created by Teck’s recent acquisition of Fording Canadian Coal Trust’s assets.

“Given continued economic uncertainty, a significant reduction in our workforce is needed to further reduce costs and position Teck for both short and long-term competitiveness,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. “Notwithstanding the substantial decline in commodity prices, this was a difficult decision and I want to thank the affected employees for their contributions to the company.”

In total, about 1,000 employee and 400 contractor positions will be eliminated by the end of 2009, with the majority of the reductions to be completed in the first quarter. Teck expects to take a charge of approximately $35 million in the first quarter for severance and other related costs associated with this reduction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario) and comparable legislation in other jurisdictions. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as “expects”, “intends”, “is expected”, “potential” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur, or be achieved.

 

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Teck to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements as to Teck’s planned coal production for 2009 and its planned workforce reductions and the financial and accounting consequences of those reductions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, among others, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially.

 

 


Factors that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, risks relating to changes in interest and currency exchange rates, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in commodities, credit and financial markets, operational risks common to Teck’s mining and processing operations and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Teck’s reports filed with Canadian securities administrators.

 

Certain of these risks are described in more detail in the annual information form of Teck and in its public filings with Canadian securities administrators. Teck does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

About Teck

Teck is a diversified resource company committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, metallurgical coal, zinc, gold and energy. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TCK.A and TCK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TCK. Further information about Teck can be found at www.teck.com.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Investor Relations Contact:


Greg Waller

Vice President, Investor Relations & Strategic Analysis

Teck Cominco Limited

(604) 699-4014

email: greg.waller@teck.com

 

Media Contact:


Sarah Goodman

Director, Corporate Affairs

Teck Cominco Limited

(604) 699 4407

email: sarah.goodman@teck.com