Horne Smelter introduces plan to reduce arsenic emissions

ROUYN-NORANDA — The Horne Smelter, a Glencore company, says it plans to invest more than $500 million to improving air quality by reducing its arsenic emissions to 15 ng/m3 within the next five years.

“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 in a statement.

“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.”

The plan includes the modernization of the smelter’s installations through the construction of new technology. Specifically, the transformation is called AERIS and incorporates three projects.

The first part of AERIS entails the complete reengineering of copper transformation processes as well as the addition of high-capacity air cleaning systems. It will also involve the construction of a new casting wheel and finalizing of a larger transition zone between the smelter and the Notre-Dame district.

The second part will involve 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.

The third phase will establish conditions at the facilities to reduce emissions by improving nine existing dust collectors.