Base metal smelters sector: environmental performance agreements overview

Annual reports for the 2020 calendar year were received from all of the 9 participating facilities, however 3 of the facilities submitted their reports after the reporting deadline. All of the 9 facilities met their BLIERs targets.

In addition to the ‘key requirements’ listed in the section above, each signatory has agreed to, and successfully completed, the following for 2020:

• Participate in a working group with representatives from ECCC, provincial governments, other companies in the base metal sector, and the Mining Association of Canada, with a particular focus on releases of key metals, fine particulate matter and fugitive particulate matter
  • Two meetings took place in 2020. These meetings focused on ECCC providing information to the group on various ECCC programs such as the Air Quality Management System (AQMS), Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (APEI) and the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
• Participate in bilateral discussions with ECCC to discuss reports and results and to identify possible methods to further reduce emissions
  • Meetings between ECCC and select facilities took place to discuss the contents of their annual report submissions
• Report on progress towards implementing applicable recommendations in the code of practice
  • Each facility provided this as part of their annual report submissions

Tables 1 to 5 present the SO₂ and PM BLIERs targets and results for each facility.

Verification

ECCC completed desktop reviews for all annual reports received and bilateral discussions continue to take place. Additionally, a 1-time third party verification is a requirement of the performance agreements. ECCC has received all expected verification reports and is in discussions with the one facility for which corrective actions were recommended. Those corrective actions include reviewing and updating select sampling methods and documentation of procedures. Staff refresher training for select equipment operators was also recommended. The facility has since provided an action list with confirmation that all recommendations have been implemented. ECCC will be reviewing the implementation of the recommendations with the facility.

Annual reports for the 2019 calendar year were received from 8 of the 11 participating facilities before the reporting deadline. 3 facilities did not submit their reports on time. All of the 11 facilities met their BLIERs targets.

In addition to the ‘key requirements’ listed in the section above, each signatory has agreed to, and successfully completed, the following for 2019:

• participate in a working group with representatives from ECCC, provincial governments, other companies in the base metal sector, and the Mining Association of Canada, with a particular focus on releases of key metals, fine particulate matter and fugitive particulate matter
• participate in bilateral discussions with ECCC to discuss reports and results and to identify possible methods to further reduce emissions
• report on progress towards implementing applicable recommendations in the code of practice

Tables 1 to 5 present the SO₂ and PM BLIERs targets and results for each facility.

Verification

ECCC completed desktop reviews for all annual reports received and bilateral discussions continue to take place. Additionally, a 1-time third party verification is a requirement of the performance agreements. ECCC has received all expected verification reports.

Annual reports for the 2018 calendar year were received from all 11 participating facilities before the reporting deadline. Each of the 8 facilities required to meet BLIERs target(s) before December 31, 2018, met the target(s) and those whose target(s) are after that date are on track to meet them.

In addition to the ‘key requirements’ listed in the section above, each signatory has agreed to, and successfully completed, the following for 2018:

• participate in a working group with representatives from ECCC, provincial governments, other companies in the base metal sector, and the Mining Association of Canada, with a particular focus on releases of key metals, fine particulate matter and fugitive particulate matter
• participate in bilateral discussions with ECCC to discuss reports and results and to identify possible methods to further reduce emissions
• report on progress towards implementing applicable recommendations in the code of practice

Tables 1 to 5 present the SO₂ and PM BLIERs targets and results for each facility.

Verification

ECCC completed desktop reviews for all reports received and bilateral discussions continue to take place. Additionally, a 1-time third party verification is a requirement of the performance agreements. To date, 7 facilities have submitted their third party verification reports.