Noranda Investing in Smelter Improvements

Noranda Inc. is investing more than $16 million on environmental improvements aimed at reducing sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions at its Horne copper smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Construction should be completed by next fall.

Environmental improvements include reducing SO2 emissions by 90% from the current level of 80%, as well as significant improvements to dust emissions and ambient air quality in the community. The project includes recovering SO2 gases and particulate emissions from the smelter's converters, improving the sulphuric acid plant's operating efficiency, as well as enhancing ventilation systems.

Noranda's Horne smelter is one of the largest custom copper and recycling smelters in the world. Last year it processed more than 787,000 metric tons of copper concentrate and recyclable materials, producing 182,000 metric tons of copper anodes.