Noranda marks $16 million to ‘green’ Horne

Noranda says it plans to invest more than $16 million to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate emissions from its Horne copper smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, Que.

The company wants to reduce SO2 emissions by 90%, up from the current level of 80%, and improve dust emissions and ambient air quality in the community. Improvements include recovering SO2 and particulates from the smelter’s converters, upping the efficiency of the sulphuric acid plant, and enhancing ventilation systems. Construction should be completed by fall 2002.

The Noranda continuous converter at Horne began operating in 1997 and improved SO2 fixation to more than 70% in 1998. By 2002, when the second stage of the project will be completed, fixation will be greater than 90%.