(Recasts with Teck comments, in U.S. dollars unless noted)

By Cameron French

TORONTO, May 4 (Reuters) - Teck Resources (TCKb.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to raise at least C$1 billion ($855 billion) in a senior debt private placement to help pay down a bridge loan taken on to fund last year's acquisition of Fording Canadian Coal Trust, the company said on Monday.

Teck took on $9.8 billion in debt to buy Fording at the top of the market last summer, but reached a deal last month with its lenders deferring billions in debt payments that had been due this year.

Under that deal, Teck has to reduce a $5.2 billion bridge loan to $3.5 billion by the end of October.

Greg Waller, the company's vice-president of investor relations, told Reuters the proceeds of the offering would be able to make up much of that shortfall.

"I think it's safe to say we are looking to raise funds from this bond issue in excess of C$1 billion," he said.

The company, which changed its name from Teck Cominco last month, has been selling off gold assets to pay down debt, and is in negotiations to sell a 20 percent stake in its Elk Valley Coal assets, which it took full control of by acquiring Fording.

Teck is also considering selling its 20 percent stake in the Fort Hills oil sands project, under which Teck has heavy future funding commitments.