en.Wedoany.com Reported - After the Quebec government passed a new law granting Glencore (LSE: GLEN) more time to comply with stricter emission standards, Glencore announced the resumption of work on its emission reduction project at the Horne Smelter in Quebec.

Glencore also urged the Canadian federal government to provide "timely and specific support" for the Horne Smelter through the Strategic Response Fund, complementing provincial efforts. In a statement, Glencore said Ottawa's support "is critical to ensuring the economic viability of the smelter and the significant investments needed to modernize and make the Horne Smelter and CCR Refinery competitive."

"The regulatory certainty provided by the Quebec government and its existing targeted programs demonstrate the province's commitment to the copper industry," said Marc Bédard, Chief Operating Officer of Glencore's Custom Metallurgical Assets, in the statement. "What remains is decisive federal action to solidify Canada's commitment. Support from the Canadian government is essential to unlock future capital investments that will secure the future of Canada's last copper smelter and refinery."

This announcement marks a reversal of the company's stance from February, when Glencore suspended nearly $300 million (CAD 420 million) in environmental investment plans and warned that nearly $1 billion in overall spending over the next five years could be at risk without a clearer operational framework. The company stated at the time that uncertainty surrounding future emission requirements and permit conditions made it impossible to advance projects critical to the smelter's future.

Bill 11, passed this week by the Quebec National Assembly, extends the deadline for the Horne Smelter to reduce airborne arsenic emissions to 15 nanograms per cubic meter, with a new deadline of 2029-2030, two years later than originally planned, and maintaining that level at least until 2033. These investments aim to reduce emissions from the nearly century-old facility. Horne is Canada's only copper smelter.

Located in Rouyn-Noranda, about 625 kilometers north of Montreal, the Horne Smelter is one of the few plants in North America capable of processing copper concentrates and recycled materials such as electronic waste. This makes it a key link in the North American copper supply chain, at a time when Canada and other Western nations are seeking to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. Together with the CCR Refinery in Montreal, Horne forms Canada's only complete copper smelting and refining chain. The Horne Smelter processes copper concentrates from mines, producing approximately 210,000 tonnes of copper and precious metals annually.

Glencore said this spring it had applied for funding under Canada's Strategic Response Fund. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the CAD 5 billion (USD 3.6 billion) fund in September, aimed at stimulating business investment in manufacturing amid heightened trade tensions with the United States.

Glencore has faced repeated criticism from Quebec over pollution caused by the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda. Although Horne significantly exceeds provincial arsenic emission standards, it has benefited from a special agreement with the provincial government. Under the previous ministerial mandate, the Horne Smelter was allowed arsenic levels of no more than 45 nanograms per cubic meter of air in the fiscal year ending in March, 15 times the provincial standard.

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