Incorporated in 1966, Taseko has a long history of mineral exploration project development, mine construction and operations, resulting in increased metal production and reserves. This expansion has been achieved through both organic growth and project acquisitions.
In 1991, as a junior exploration company with no operating assets, Taseko was rolled into the HDI Group of companies. Then known as Hunter Dickinson Inc., HDI is a private group of mine finders and developers who establish or acquire exploration and development companies to advance promising mineral properties. HDI principals Ron Thiessen and Robert Dickinson remain actively involved with Taseko today as independent Directors.
New Prosperity in the Chilcotin region of south-central BC was Taseko’s first mineral property. Taseko acquired 100% of the project in 1993 and, over the course of successive exploration programs, defined a large porphyry gold-copper deposit at the New Prosperity site.
In 1999, Taseko acquired the idled Gibraltar copper-molybdenum mine in BC’s Cariboo region for just $1. Operations at Gibraltar had ceased in 1998 due to low copper prices and the mine was on ‘care and maintenance’ status with a 10-person workforce. In 2004, copper prices had begun to recover and Taseko re-started Gibraltar. Shortly afterward, the well-known mine operator, Russell Hallbauer, joined the Taseko team as President & CEO.
With Mr. Hallbauer at the helm, Taseko grew over the following decade from a workforce of 10 to more than 700, while implementing a three-phase, $800 million expansion and modernization project at Gibraltar. Taseko also acquired the Aley Niobium project in northeast BC (2007), the Florence Copper project in Arizona (2013), and the Yellowhead Copper project in central BC (2019) – efficiently building the company’s resource base and future development pipeline.
While expanding operations and sustainably growing the company, Taseko and Gibraltar have achieved multiple awards for operational excellence, health & safety, environmental performance, and Indigenous relations from the Government of BC and various industry associations.
Over time, a succession plan was implemented to ensure the effective transition and long-term success of the company. Building on its operational strengths and high-quality development pipeline, current President & CEO Stuart McDonald and a diverse team of experienced mining leaders continue to advance Taseko as a dynamic and growing copper producer, focused in North America, and driven to unlock the true value of copper for a complex and changing world.
