(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME

• the joint pursuit and development of business, exploration and
acquisition opportunities
2.6.6.1. Noranda Inc., Horne Smelter, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec
Noranda Inc., Horne Smelter, operates a copper smelter in Rouyn-Noranda,
Québec. The smelter produces copper anodes and sulphuric acid.
The plant began processing copper concentrates from an associated mine-mill
complex in 1927. Until the 1970s, the smelter utilized conventional copper
smelting technology which included reverberatory furnaces and Peirce-Smith
converters. Development and installation of Noranda’s patented reactor for the
treatment of copper concentrates permitted the gradual elimination of the
reverberatory furnaces. The mine closed in 1976, and the smelter now
processes custom and toll copper concentrates and secondary materials from a
variety of sources world-wide. Copper anodes of 99.1% copper are produced
from a feedstock of copper concentrates and precious metal-bearing recyclable
materials. The anodes are shipped to the company’s CCR Refinery in Montréal
where they are used to produced refined copper, precious metals and other byproducts.
A sulphuric acid plant entered service in 1989. In November 2001, Noranda
announced an investment of more that $16 million aimed at reducing sulphur
dioxide and total particulate matter emissions from its Horne facility.
Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2002. The project includes
recovering sulphur dioxide gases and particulate emissions from the converters,
improving the sulphuric acid plant’s operating efficiency, as well as enhancing
ventilation systems.
The smelter ranks as the largest and most advanced recycling plant of its kind in
North America.
28