CVIRN: a new website to follow the ministerial authorization of the Horne Smelter

Courtesy translation of press release

Press release: The independent watchdog committee monitoring the ministerial authorization for the Horne Smelter launches a website to inform the public

Rouyn-Noranda, May 28, 2025 - In order to fulfill its communication and outreach mandate, the Comité de vigie indépendant (CVIRN) is launching a website to inform the public about the work required at the Horne smelter by the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). 

The CVIRN is made up of ten volunteer members appointed by Minister Benoit Charrette to monitor the work required at the Horne smelter under the 2023-2028 ministerial authorization. To carry out its mandate, the committee teamed up with the Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTÉI), affiliated with the Cégep de Sorel-Tracy. Experts, including a chemist, a chemical engineer and an environmental compliance specialist, support the committee in analyzing data and technical documents.

“So far, we can see that the efforts made by the smelter to manage atmospheric emissions have paid off. The ministerial authorization required arsenic emissions in 2024 to be 45ng/m3 of air. Two visits to the smelter site revealed several new processes and improvements to limit fugitive emissions. Discussions were held with members of the teams who are motivated to meet the objectives of the ministerial authorization. In addition, further investments will have to be made to reach the 15ng/m3 of air required by the Ministry of the Environment by 2028”, mentions Martine Rioux, President of the CVIRN. 

Beyond air quality, other elements of the ministerial authorization are also attracting the committee's attention, notably the results of a study on noise in the Notre-Dame district and wastewater management in the Nord-Osisko basin, a sector that has been the subject of several non-compliance notices from the MELCCFP.

The President also praises the rigorous work of the MELCCFP team members, who are following up the case with great care. 

To find out more about the independent watchdog committee and Glencore's ministerial authorization for the Horne Smelter, visit: www.cvirn.ca