Horne foundry in Rouyn-Noranda: a closure is not necessary, according to Public Health

Quebec Public Health blew hot and cold yesterday against the multinational Glencore, owner of the Horne Foundry.

Horne foundry in Rouyn-Noranda: a closure is not necessary, according to Public Health

Quebec Public Health blew hot and cold yesterday against the multinational Glencore, owner of the Horne Foundry.

• Read also: Cancer case in Rouyn-Noranda: Charette blames the previous government

• To read also: Horne Foundry: “Maintaining arsenic emissions is not acceptable”, judges Dr. Boileau

Indeed, it revealed worrying data on the carcinogenic effects of arsenic emissions from the plant.

However, Public Health does not consider it necessary to close the Horne Foundry.

“If you ask me the question today: are there any figures that invite us to say that the company must be closed and all fumes avoided as of today? The answer is no, ”said the head of Quebec Public Health, Dr. Luc Boileau, during a press conference yesterday.

Need more studies

Mr. Boileau adds, however, that it is necessary to seek more "expert opinions" before having a clearer picture of the situation, and was not able to detail the "acceptable" level. toxic emissions from the company.

For him, Glencore, owner of the factory, will take the necessary measures to reduce its toxic fumes.

"I think they take note of it and I think they will move on," he said.

Glencore, a multinational that recorded profits of $5 billion last year, was however unable to detail the target that could be reached in the coming months.

"At this time, I can't tell you the number," said Claude Bélanger, head of copper operations at Glencore, in an interview with LCN.

In an interview last week, another executive from the Foundry felt that the Quebec standard was not a realistic goal.

"It's technically impossible to get to that level," said Donald Piché, director of engineering.

Promised measures

Glencore, however, defended itself yesterday by arguing that its emissions have been reduced by 30% since 2017 at its sampling station.

"We have not communicated enough so far but [...] we have a concrete plan to further reduce our emissions and are determined to improve the situation," the company said in a statement.

The multinational has also set up a transition zone between the foundry and the Notre-Dame district, located just opposite. She is also working on two projects, Velox and Phenix, to capture gases and dust.

Too little in the eyes of environmentalists

But that's not much for environmental groups who would like more commitments from public health and business.

“As of today, measures must be put in place to eliminate as many pollutants as possible. We must lower production and during days of smog episodes, there should be no production, ”said André Bélisle, president of the Quebec Association for the Fight against Air Pollution.

FOUR ACTIONS PROMISED BY THE HORNE FOUNDRY

NEXT NEWS