Metal recycling
Copper is everywhere in our every day lives. It can be found in electrical wiring, electronic devices, vehicles, infrastructure, and even in renewable energy sources such as solar panels. This metal is essential for electricity transmission and many modern technologies.
As a result, the global demand for copper continues to rise. However, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable solutions to ensure its availability without depleting natural resources. Recycling is an essential solution to meet this demand while reducing environmental impact.
At the Horne Smelter, we take pride in continuously improving our copper recycling expertise throughout the last few decades. When the Noranda mine closed in 1976, the company had to innovate to sustain its operations. In addition to processing concentrates from various mines, it turned to recycling electronic devices and small electrical equipment to supply its process.
Today, the Horne Smelter is globally recognized for its ability to process a wide variety of materials. Recycling these resources helps extend the life of metals such as copper, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, selenium, and tellurium, giving them a second life while diverting them from landfills, where they could have a significant environmental impact.
Each year, an average of 33,600 tonnes of copper and 1.5 million ounces of precious metals are recovered from 110,000 tonnes of recycled materials.
Ce qui représente l’équivalent d’environ 18 terrains de football de matières qui sont détournées des sites d’enfouissement.
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1940
Copper recycling at the Horne Smelter began during World War II to meet the high demand for military equipment production.
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1940 - 1960
The electrical standardization in Quebec and Ontario rendered many motors obsolete an opportunity the smelter seized to recycle them and give their metals a second life.
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1976
With the closure of the Noranda mine, the company turned to recycling end-of-life electronic and electrical materials.
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1984
Following the growing demand for electronic materials, the smelter built and commissioned the electronic materials recycling circuit.
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2016
Installation of a cooling system in the smelting vessels to increase the processing capacity of recycled materials.
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2017
Construction of ARPE-Québec’s official drop-off point for electronic and electrical products in end of life.
What we process
We have developed cutting-edge expertise in metal recycling. Our process allows us to recycle a wide variety of inputs, from electronic product components and copper scrap to solar panel parts and wiring from vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Federal regulations distinguish between "waste," which is destined for landfill, and "recyclable materials," which are processed for reuse. At the Horne Smelter, we specialize in the latter: we transform these materials into new resources rather than sending them to landfills, where they could have a significant environmental impact.
No. Electronic materials contain minimal amounts of arsenic and account for only about 6% of our feed profile. Therefore, reducing or increasing this type of material in our feed would not have a significant impact on the arsenic concentrations observed in ambient air.
Moreover, arsenic has a key role in purifying copper to achieve a purity level of 99.99%. We must therefore ensure that the arsenic concentration in the metallurgical process recipe remains as stable as possible to produce high-quality copper.
For nearly 50 years, we have developed cutting-edge expertise in metal recycling. Our process allows us to recycle a wide variety of inputs, from electronic product components and copper scraps to solar panel parts and wiring found in vehicles.
We continue to invest in research and development to enhance our capacity to recycle not only copper but also gold, silver, platinum, palladium, selenium, nickel, and tellurium metals essential to everyday life.
Recycling electronics and other recyclable materials reduces the demand for copper and, in turn, precious metals, resulting in up to 80% lower carbon emissions compared to copper production from mining.
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More information
Do you have any concerns or would you like mor information?
Contact our Comminity Relations Office
19-762-7764, ext. 2002Mail