The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Teck is pledging to build a critical-minerals refinery in Southern British Columbia if the federal government approves its proposed merger with Anglo American PLC. The Globe's Andrew Willis and Niall McGee write that Teck and Anglo will boost the combined company's capacity to produce zinc, antimony and germanium. If Ottawa blesses their union, the company expects to start refining copper and gallium at its Trail operation, chief executive officer Jonathan Price told The Globe. He said the copper refinery would be the first in Western Canada. The pledge is part of a commitment with Anglo to spend $4.5-billion on expanding Canadian operations over the next five years. The combined companies plan to invest up to $750-million to boost production of germanium and gallium, which are used in semiconductors and solar cells. Teck and Anglo's commitment to increased domestic production of strategic metals fits Ottawa's shift to increased self-reliance in Canadian manufacturing and defence, Mr. Price said. China dominates production of most of these critical minerals. The Teck CEO said Anglo has committed to running the combined companies from Vancouver "in perpetuity."