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WHO WE ARE

Our history

In early 1961, five mining companies formed Canadian Electrolytic Zinc Limited (CEZinc) to build an electrolytic zinc refinery.

Several sites were considered, but the final choice was a site on the outskirts of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. There were several reasons for this choice:

  • convenient rail transport for our concentrate and finished product;

  • assurance of a market for our sulphuric acid;

  • affordable electricity source;

  • available workforce;

  • adequate water supply for our cooling facilities.

Construction of the plant began in 1962. The first sod was turned by Paul Gérin-Lajoie, Robert Cauchon and Richard Valentine Porritt. Production started in September 1963.

  • Groundbreaking ceremony for Paul Gérin-Lajoie, Robert Cauchon and Richard Valentine Porritt.

  • Inauguration of the plant on September 17, 1963.

  • The plant in 1963.

A few highlights from our history

  • The five co-owners, Mattagami Lakes Mines Limited, Orchan Mines Limited, Geco Mines, Quemont Mining Corporation Limited and Normetal Mining Corporation Limited, entrust the management of the refinery to Société Noranda.

  • Start-up of Furnace no. 3 of acid plant 2, electrolysis hall no. 2 and the furnace at Le Moulage.

  • Robotization of the machinery began in the 1980s. Start-up of furnace no. 4 and acid plant no. 3 (1983). Start-up of the shot-blasting line (1985).

  • Hall 3, powder section at Moulage, opens for business.

  • CEZinc becomes the first zinc refinery in the world to obtain ISO 9002 certification for all stages of the zinc production process.

  • Installation of new filter presses in the hydrometallurgical plant.

  • The BZS (Basic Zinc Sulphate) process and the weak acid treatment plant are commissioned.

  • Start-up of the effluent treatment plant.

  • The Noranda Income Fund is created to acquire the refinery.

  • CEZinc becomes the 82nd largest company in Quebec and the 406th largest company in Canada.

  • Working with local partners, CEZinc devised an innovative way to refurbish the 204 cells in its electrolysis shed No. 3 while continuing to produce zinc. This innovation, the only one of its kind in the world, avoided two three-week production stoppages and saved around $18 million compared to conventional methods. CEZinc was awarded the "Innovation" prize at the 2011 Gala des gens d'affaires for this invention.

  • The company is the 11th largest zinc refiner in the world, the second largest in North America and the largest in eastern North America, where the majority of its customers are located.

  • Inauguration of the UTE pumping station.

  • Commissioning of silicon processing tanks.

  • Glencore Canada becomes 100% owner of the refinery.

  • Electrolysis hall modernization project.