Quebec's copper metallurgical industry

Glencore Canada’s copper division assets consist of the Horne Smelter, located in Rouyn-Noranda, and the CCR Refinery in Montréal-Est. These integrated companies represent the copper industry in Quebec—an industry that produces substantial economic benefits for the province. The Horne Smelter and CCR Refinery alone generate $690 million of Quebec’s gross domestic product (GDP) annually.

The Quebec Copper Industry: Vital to Modern Life

Quebec’s copper industry will play a primary role over the coming years as the transition to green energies ramps up the demand for copper. Demand is predicted to increase by 1.0 T/year to 60.1 T in 2050—50% greater than in 2019.

In addition to copper cathodes, Glencore’s Quebec copper division produces strategic metals and chemicals like selenium, tellurium dioxide, nickel sulfate, and a platinum and palladium concentrate as well as precious metals like gold and silver.

CCR Refinery in Montréal-Est is an integral part of the Glencore Group. It refines copper electrolytically—the final phase of transformation prior to sale on the market. The company started doing business in 1931 under the name Canadian Copper Refinery and today has over 550 employees, 400 of whom are involved in production and 150 in administration. CCR Refinery has an annual processing capacity of 325,000 metric tons of copper and precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The facilities cover an area 1.8 million square feet in size.

CCR Refinery works on behalf of metal producers, mines, copper smelters, and other refineries, treating complex copper anodes and certain raw materials containing precious metals. Our customers are mainly raw material suppliers, but also the buyers of our copper cathodes, gold, silver, and many other by-products.

Sustained growth of a North American leader

The CCR team strives to develop mineral resources responsibly and profitably. We also strive to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Over the past years, CCR has been recognized for our remarkable increase in productivity and performance, especially with regard to financial results, sustainable development, and workplace health and safety.

Such results are proof of CCR's continued progress at a time when many North American competitors have been forced to wind up operations. We owe our success to our values and attention to good practice and ongoing performance measurement. This is the vision of our management team, which has made important strategic decisions at decisive moments to strengthen our hand and improve results. 

The Company also shows leadership in our commitment to superior quality service and fast delivery through the hard work of a dedicated, disciplined, and highly qualified team.