SKIP NAVIGATION
Languages:
Back to Port facilities

Our environmental actions at the Port of Québec

We aim to minimize our impact on the environment at the Port of Québec through concrete, sustainable, and responsible actions in order to protect natural environments and the quality of life of our community.

Air quality data

Québec City, the Ministry of Environment, Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, the Port of Québec and Glencore Canada Corporation are collaborating, in the interest of transparency, to facilitate access to data on outdoor air quality in the territory of Québec City.

Review air quality data

Our commitment to continuous improvement

  • Start of a pre-feasibility study for ship hold covers for nickel matte.

  • Replacement of the diesel compressor with an electric compressor for the misting system.

  • The addition of water sprayers on the matte loading conveyor to reduce dust.

  • Commissioning of VISION Smart 3D and 2D radar system.

  • New mobile concentrate unloader on rail allowing efficient unloading of the four holds by limiting the movement of concentrate.

  • Installation of a vision system on the Continuous Self Unloader and commissioning through 2022.

  • New baghouse dust collector installed on the CV-09 conveyor for concentrate unloading.

  • Completed maiden voyage of MV Arvik I from Québec City to Deception Bay in May 2021.

  • Evaluated technologies for new nickel matte loading equipment.

  • Replaced baghouse dust collector No. 10.

  • Carried out research for the VISION project to use specialized equipment to empty holds while keeping them closed.

  • Installed new concentrate unloading equipment.

  • Modified nickel matte loading procedures to prevent fugitive dust emissions.

  • Installed real-time dust samplers and cameras to improve the warning system.

  • Installed a vegetated wall at the western limit of the Port of Québec, as part of a five-year project to green the port in collaboration with the Québec Port Authority.

  • Began construction of the new ship.

  • Designed a new ship with cargo holds permitting cleaner unloading.

  • Began engineering and execution of plans for a new ship unloader.

  • Planned improvements to covering the ship’s loading boom and surrounding roadway to further eliminate dust.

  • Ongoing analysis of new technologies to further improve dust monitoring and ship loading and unloading activities.
  • Installed dust monitoring system dashboard to provide operators with real-time data.
  • Designed portable vacuum system to improve site cleaning.
  • Evaluated unloading and dust monitoring technologies for planned MV Arctic ship replacement.
  • Achieved certification to Green Marine Environmental Program, scoring highest level of excellence and leadership for bulk handling and storage.
  • Completed improvements to fog system and ship loading design.
  • Integrated dust monitoring equipment into Glencore systems.
  • Achieved ISO 14001 certification for Glencore’s operations at the Port of Québec.
  • Designed and implemented dust-supressing fog system for ship unloading.
  • Fully enclosed all portions of conveyor systems not already covered.
  • Launched studies into further improvements to ship loading/unloading infrastructure.
  • Increased ventilation and added a filter bag dust collector in the building used for loading and unloading nickel matte rail cars.
  • Tested and installed new radar enabled railcar load level indicators to help prevent over filling.
  • Expanded dust collecting baghouse system and re-routed dust collection lines to maximize performance.
  • Enclosed the nickel matte conveyor system.
  • Expanded building used for loading/unloading rail cars.
  • Installed doors in buildings used for loading/unloading rail cars.
  • Installed boot lift connectors on rail cars used for shipping nickel matte.
  • Improved site monitoring through remote access to cameras and continuous air quality monitoring.

Why this continuous improvement program is essential

At the Port of Québec, our activities take place in a complex and sensitive environment. We are fully aware of this.

With more than $60 million invested since 2013, we have modernized our equipment, improved our procedures and stepped up initiatives to minimize the impact of our activities on the environment. These investments mark important milestones, but we are fully aware that expectations remain high and that we need to keep moving forward.

But our commitment doesn’t stop here.

We know that expectations are changing, as well as understanding of environmental and community issues. That's why we continue to assess our practices by calling on independent experts, while remaining open to discussions with our stakeholders to find solutions adapted to the reality of today and tomorrow.

Every measure counts. Whether it’s modernizing our dust filters, reinforcing our cleaning procedures, or undertaking studies on how best to cover ships’ holds, we are moving forward pragmatically with a sincere desire to do better.

We remain committed, and we will continue to keep our partners and the public informed of our progress.

Links