Air Emissions Reduction - The Horne Smelter Unveils Its Plan to Reach the 15 ng/m3 Target of Arsenic in the Air Within 5 Years Français
An investment of more than $500M to modernize and optimize operations
ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Aug. 18th, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The Horne Smelter, a Glencore company, announced today that it plans to invest more than $500M dedicated to improving air quality to reduce within the next five years its arsenic emissions to 15 ng/m3.
"This transformative project shows that our number one priority is to ensure our teams' safety et security, as well as that of our neighbouring communities," said Claude Bélanger, Chief Operating Officer of Glencore's North American Copper Assets. He added: "The investments we plan will make the Horne Smelter one of the world's lowest-emitting copper smelters. Myself and the team are fully committed to the future success of the Horne and the ongoing efforts to reduce emissions to ensure a performance that all stakeholders can trust and be proud of."
1. Modernization of the Smelter's installations through the construction of cutting-edge technology. This transformation, named AERIS, includes three projects:
- The complete reengineering of copper transformation processes (PHENIX);
- The addition of a high-capacity air cleaning system (R3);
- The construction of a new energy-efficient casting wheel (ECCO);
- The finalizing of a larger transition zone between the smelter and the Notre-Dame district.
2. Transitional improvements to existing capture systems.
- They will be carried out on seven capture systems this year to accelerate emissions reduction until the new plant section is in operation in the summer of 2027.
3. Optimization of the facilities around the plan to maximally reduce emissions, even once AERIS is in operation. This includes:
- The improvement of nine existing dust collectors.
"We are continuing the work initiated over the past 20 years, when our ambient arsenic emissions had been reduced by about 90% since 2000, adds Mr. Bélanger. Our plan is ambitious and marks the beginning of a new phase for the Horne Smelter. We will continue to pro-actively engage with the government, public health authorities and community and other key stakeholders on our plan."
The smelter has been a proud part of the Canadian and Quebec mining industry for almost 100 years. Our investment will help ensure the Horne is fit for the future and can continue to support the province's climate ambitions through its role as North America's leading e-scrap recycler.
The Horne Smelter, a Glencore Canada Company, is a metallurgical plant with world-renowned copper processing operations. It produces 210,000 tons of copper and precious metals annually. In addition to having a recognized expertise in the processing of complex materials, the Horne Smelter is a major North American player in the processing of recycled products with metallic value. It employs more than 650 people at its Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, plant, in addition to doing business with several third parties. All its copper anode production is sent to Glencore's CCR Refinery in Montreal, where an additional 500 workers contribute to the North American copper and critical minerals value chain.
www.fonderiehorne.ca
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SOURCE Horne Smelter, a Glencore Canada Company
Cindy Caouette +1 819 762-7764 ext. 2040, [email protected]; Source : Fonderie Horne, une compagnie Glencore
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