Energy and climate change

At Horne Smelter, we care about our impact on the environment, which is why we’re working to reduce our footprint, particularly by reducing greenhouse gases (GHG). To achieve this, Horne Smelter has participated in the Quebec cap-and-trade system (SPEDE) since it was introduced in 2013.

Over the years, several initiatives have been implemented to reduce our GHG emissions. These efforts are paying off, with a 48% reduction in GHG emissions from smelting operations (and 28% if recycling is included), far exceeding government targets and making the company a provincial leader in this area. About 40% of Horne Smelter’s emissions are from the recycling of copper and precious metals.

However, through these activities, CO₂ emissions from primary mining are indirectly reduced. In fact, copper production from electronics requires 80% less energy than from ore. Today, Horne Smelter has among the lowest carbon/tonne footprints for copper in the world, contributing positively to GHG reductions worldwide.