Horne smelter may close in 2027 after Glencore halts investments

Glencore said it has paused emissions-related investments at the Horne smelter after talks with Quebec did not secure the regulatory certainty the company sought; provincial emissions limits take effect in March 2027.

Glencore has paused all emissions-reduction investments at its Horne smelter in Rouyn-Noranda after negotiations with the Quebec government did not produce the regulatory certainty the company said it needed. The miner had proposed nearly C$1 billion of investments over five years for its Quebec metallurgical assets, including around C$300 million aimed at reducing emissions. Glencore said that without completing those projects, the smelter would not be able to meet provincial emissions targets that take effect in March 2027. Key facts: - Glencore announced a halt to emissions-related investments at the Horne smelter following sustained talks with Quebec that did not yield required regulatory clarity. - The company had proposed nearly C$1 billion of investment at Horne over five years, including about C$300 million for emissions reduction measures. - Provincial emissions limits relevant to the smelter are scheduled to take effect in March 2027, and Glencore said non-compliance would result without the planned work. - Quebec has offered to advance the environmental authorization process and talks have continued, but no final agreement was reported. Summary: The pause in planned investments raises uncertainty about the smelter’s ability to meet upcoming provincial emissions requirements and about the timeline for the facilities in Quebec. Glencore said it will reassess the situation in the coming months; the ultimate outcome and any regulatory decisions are undetermined at this time.