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Research initiatives
posted: 02/01/2025

At the Horne Smelter, we have implemented a research and development program that covers a variety of innovative projects aimed at improving the environment and promoting sustainability. Many of these projects are carried out in collaboration with local universities and research institutes, fostering innovation and the advancement of sustainable practices in the mining industry.

Revegetation of boreal forest

Since March 2022, a pilot project has been underway with the city of Rouyn-Noranda and Viridis Environnement to reuse wastewater treatment sludge to restore one of our mine tailings sites. The aim is to create fertile soil that encourages tree growth and biodiversity, while reducing our environmental footprint. In addition, this initiative enables us to explore practical solutions for municipal sludge management, a challenge facing many cities.

 

2023 highlights:

  • 1,000

    trees planted

  • 1,525 tonnes

    recycled municipal sludge

  • 1.7 hectares

    restored land

    • Experimental cells

    The REGENERE UQAT - Horne Smelter Institutional Research Chair has a number of projects aimed at the renaturalization of tailings facilities. Among them, experimental cells have been installed on one of our tailings facilities to evaluate the effectiveness of closure methods. The aim of this initiative is to find more ecological and sustainable alternatives for rehabilitating our tailings ponds.

    To find out more about the Chaire REGENERE, click here.