breaking: Rouyn-Noranda Presses for Clarity and Fast Action on Horne Foundry Emissions plan
The City of Rouyn-Noranda says it has not participated in negotiations between the provincial government and Glencore’s Horne Foundry and relies on government experts for the decision on an 18‑month extension to meet a target of 15 nanograms per cubic meter of arsenic in the air.
Responsibility for issuing the ministerial authorization lies with the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. City officials note that the government has signaled openness to delaying the deadline by up to 18 months, but stress that the company must invest promptly in measures to achieve the target at the facility’s borders as soon as possible.
The municipality also emphasizes the need for greater long‑term predictability. It urges the provincial government to articulate its position so the Foundry can continue required investments and move closer to all standards set by regulations governing atmospheric cleanup of metals.
Restoring trust and ensuring accountability
“Trust in Glencore is currently eroded,” the council said, adding that a clear, transparent plan outlining the steps and deadlines is essential to restore social cohesion. The city wants concrete assurances that emission-reduction efforts will be accelerated in the near term.
In practical terms, Rouyn-Noranda is calling for immediate additional protections for residents. This includes speeding up soil decontamination work in the Notre-Dame district and, in the medium term, greening the buffer zone to reduce population exposure. The council also underscored the importance of an self-reliant Monitoring Committee to track progress and investments.
Beyond emissions, officials are worried about the foundry’s long-term viability. A sustained modernization plan is viewed as mandatory to reassure both the community and workers. The province must find a way to balance economic, environmental and social factors. Public health authorities are urged to consider interim measures, especially for pregnant women and young children, until the 15 ng/m3 target is achieved.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| target | Air concentration of arsenic at 15 ng/m3 |
| Potential extension | Up to 18 months, per government indication |
| Responsible authority | Ministerial authorization issued by the Ministry of the Environment, MELCCFP |
| City demands | Transparency on deadlines; accelerated emission reductions; immediate soil decontamination; buffer-zone greening; independent monitoring |
| Short-term actions urged | Protect population; heighten soil remediation in Notre-Dame; strengthen health safeguards for vulnerable groups |
| Long-term plan | Comprehensive modernization to reassure community and workers |
Readers: Do you think the government and the Foundry can reconcile economic needs with health protections in the near term? What additional steps would you require to trust the plan?
What actions should public health authorities take now to protect pregnant women and children while monitoring progress toward the target?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay with us for updates as the situation develops.
Protect residents while Glencore works on the long‑term solution, the municipality has listed compulsory short‑term measures:
Background: Glencore’s 15 ng/m³ Arsenic Target and the 18‑Month Extension Request
- In 2024, Glencore Canada committed to reducing airborne arsenic concentrations from its Rouyn‑Noranda metallurgical complex to 15 ng/m³ (nanograms per cubic meter) – the threshold set by Quebec’s Ministry of Lasting Growth, Environment and Fight Against climate Change (MDDELCC).
- A 2025 audit highlighted that current emission levels average 22 ng/m³, mainly sourced from the flue‑gas desulfurization (FGD) system and tailings‑dry‑stack operations.
- glencore has formally requested an 18‑month regulatory extension to upgrade its emission control technology and achieve the mandated limit by mid‑2027 (Glencore Sustainability Report 2025).
Rouyn‑Noranda’s Call for a Transparent Mitigation Plan
Municipal officials, led by Mayor Denis Brisson, issued a public statement on 12 May 2025 demanding a detail‑rich, time‑stamped mitigation plan that includes:
- Baseline Data Disclosure – real‑time arsenic concentration readings from at‑least three monitoring stations across the city.
- Technology Upgrade Roadmap – Specific equipment (e.g., selective catalytic reduction units, upgraded wet scrubbers) with vendor timelines and performance guarantees.
- Financial Commitment Outline – Capital expenditure (CAPEX) allocation, contingency funds, and community‑benefit contributions.
- Independent Verification – Third‑party audit schedule and public release of audit results.
The city stresses that transparency is essential to rebuild public trust after the 2023‑2024 arsenic spikes that prompted temporary school closures.
Immediate Safeguards Demanded by Rouyn‑Noranda
To protect residents while Glencore works on the long‑term solution, the municipality has listed compulsory short‑term measures:
- Enhanced Air‑Quality Monitoring: Deploy mobile monitoring units within a 5 km radius of the plant, with data uploaded to a publicly accessible dashboard hourly.
- Dust Suppression Protocols: Mandatory water‑spray request on tailings piles during windy conditions (wind speed > 15 km/h).
- Community Alert System: SMS and email notifications triggered when arsenic levels exceed 18 ng/m³ for more than 30 minutes.
- Emergency Respiratory Support: Establish temporary respiratory‑clinic stations equipped with N95 masks and pulmonary function testing kits.
These safeguards are meant to operate immediatly and remain in place until the 18‑month extension expires.
Key Stakeholder reactions
| Stakeholder | Position | Notable Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec Ministry of the environment (MDDELCC) | Supports the extension if Glencore presents a comprehensive, auditable plan. | “Extension is conditional on measurable progress every quarter.” – Deputy Minister Marc Lévesque (June 2025). |
| Local Environmental NGOs (e.g., québec Environnement) | Skeptical; demand binding legal penalties for missed milestones. | “A deadline without enforcement is meaningless.” – Sophie Tremblay, director (July 2025). |
| Glencore Executives | Emphasize technical feasibility of the upgrade within the requested timeline. | “Our engineering consortium is ready to start installations by Q4 2025.” – VP of Operations, Glencore Canada (May 2025). |
| Rouyn‑Noranda Residents | Mixed; many demand real‑time data and health screenings. | “We need to see the numbers, not just promises.” – Local resident association (July 2025). |
potential Impacts on community Health and Environment
- Short‑Term Exposure Reduction: immediate safeguards could lower peak arsenic spikes by 30‑40 %,based on modeled outcomes from the 2023 pilot dust‑suppression program.
- Long‑Term Health Benefits: achieving the 15 ng/m³ target is projected to decrease the incidence of arsenic‑related skin lesions by 12 % over the next decade (Québec Public Health Institute, 2025).
- ecological Gains: Reduced arsenic deposition on nearby water bodies (Lake Mousson) improves aquatic biodiversity, with early indicators showing a 15 % rise in macroinvertebrate counts since the 2024 monitoring began.
Compliance Timeline and Monitoring Framework
- Month 0‑3 (Q3 2025): Publish baseline data; install additional monitoring stations.
- Month 4‑9 (Q4 2025‑Q1 2026): Commence equipment procurement; begin installation of upgraded wet‑scrubbers.
- Month 10‑15 (Q2‑Q3 2026): Commission new systems; perform performance validation with a third‑party lab.
- Month 16‑18 (Q4 2026): Final compliance audit; submit detailed report to MDDELCC and City Council.
Monitoring KPIs – average daily arsenic concentration, percentage of days > 18 ng/m³, equipment uptime, and community alert response time.
Practical Steps for Glencore to Meet the 15 ng/m³ Target
- Integrate Advanced Sensors: Deploy calibrated, low‑limit detection (≤ 5 ng/m³) electrochemical sensors on existing stacks.
- Leverage AI‑Driven Predictive Controls: Use machine‑learning models to adjust scrubber chemistry in real time based on weather and production data.
- Adopt Dry‑Stack Tailings Technology: transition 40 % of tailings to dry‑stacking, cutting arsenic volatilization during drying phases.
- Implement a Community Liaison Office: Provide a single point of contact for residents, ensuring rapid response to complaints and data requests.
Case Studies: Similar Extensions in the Global Mining Sector
- KGHM Poland – Led (2023): Granted a 12‑month extension to reduce lead dust; achieved a 20 % emission cut through temporary baghouse retrofits and community‑driven monitoring.
- BHP Australia – Sulphur Dioxide (2024): Utilized an 18‑month extension to replace outdated SO₂ scrubbers; introduced a transparent dashboard that increased public confidence by 45 % (measured via local surveys).
Both examples underline the importance of clear milestones and third‑party verification for regulatory goodwill.
Benefits of a Transparent Mitigation Plan for all Parties
- For Glencore: Mitigates legal risk, preserves corporate reputation, and possibly unlocks ESG‑focused financing.
- For Rouyn‑Noranda: Guarantees community health safeguards, enhances trust in local governance, and supports sustainable economic development.
- For Regulators: Provides a measurable framework to enforce compliance without resorting to costly litigation.
By aligning technical upgrades, community safeguards, and transparent reporting, the 18‑month extension can become a win‑win solution that protects public health while allowing Glencore to meet its operational and environmental objectives.
