we are helping  build communities for  future generations The foundation of our sustainability strategy is our vision to ensure that communities are better  off as a result of their interactions with us. We understand that building and maintaining our  community relationships is essential, not only to our own success, but also to the sustainable future  of communities where we operate. We support the growth of local communities in a number of ways, including direct investment in priorities  identified by the community. In 2012, we invested over $22 million into communities to support a wide  range of initiatives. In Alaska, our Red Dog Operations are a key contributor to the local economy, employing over 350 local  residents and injecting millions into local businesses. But support for local communities goes beyond  economic activity. We are also investing in programs to support Aboriginal youth in the region, including  $1.25 million towards the Northwest Arctic Borough School District’s Youth Leaders Program — a suicide  prevention and youth leadership program based in schools in the region. We are helping connect youth  with sports through a new skate-ski program and the Red Dog NBA program. The Red Dog NBA program  is an annual student initiative that rewards youth from the 11 communities in the region for outstanding  performance in school and for service to their community by sending them to a major U.S. city, where they  attend an NBA game, visit colleges and universities, and tour businesses to promote career opportunities.  Investments like those at Red Dog contribute to building strong relationships and strengthen the  communities where we operate. 26 Teck 2012 Annual Report Community