Base metal smelters sector: environmental performance agreements overview

All 4 companies, covering 8 facilities, submitted their 2023 annual reports however, 2 facilities submitted their reports after the reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that 1 facility did not meet their BLIER target for PM due to pollution control equipment upgrades. All facilities met their BLIER targets for sulfur capture rate. Reports provided by facilities on progress towards implementing applicable recommendations in the environmental code of practice for base metals smelters and refineries show that 4 facilities fully implemented an average of 92% of their applicable recommendations, while the other 4 facilities have implemented 100% of their applicable recommendations.

In addition to the ‘key requirements’ listed in the section above, each signatory has agreed to, and successfully completed, the following for 2023:

• 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
  • Three meetings took place in 2023. These meetings focused on the development of a guidance document to be used by facilities as a resource when reporting fugitive particulate matter emissions to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). The final meeting of 2023 was hosted by representatives from the Horne smelter and a tour of the facility was provided.
• 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

Tables 1 to 4 present the SO2 and PM BLIERs targets and results for each facility.

Verification

ECCC received and verified the 2023 annual reports on their implementation of the recommendations in the Code of Practice and the meeting of their BLIERs targets. Data showed that 1 facility did not meet their BLIER target for PM due to high emission rates encountered when some baghouses that control PM releases were being upgraded with new filter cloth. It is expected that the facility will be back below the BLIER in 2024. ECCC conducted meetings with some facilities to review their submissions. Facilities submitted revised information resulting from these meetings.

All companies submitted their 2022 annual reports; however, 3 facilities submitted their reports after the reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that all 8 of the facilities met their BLIER targets for SO2 and PM. 7^{Footnote 1}  facilities also provided a report on progress towards implementing applicable recommendations in the environmental code of practice for base metals smelters and refineries. Three facilities fully implemented an average of 89% of their applicable recommendations; while the other 4 facilities have implemented 100% of their applicable recommendations.

In addition to the ‘key requirements’ listed in the section above, each signatory has agreed to, and successfully completed, the following for 2022:

• 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 2022. These meetings focused on ECCC providing updates on the progress towards meeting the working group objectives. Provincial representatives provided details on facility obligations with respect to quantification and reporting to their respective provinces
• 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

Tables 1 to 4 present the SO2 and PM BLIERs targets and results for each facility.

Verification

ECCC received and verified the 2022 annual reports, which included data showing that each facility is meeting their BLIERs target(s) and reporting on their implementation of the recommendations in the Code of Practice. ECCC conducted meetings with some facilities to review their submissions. Facilities re-submitted revised information resulting from these meetings.

All companies submitted their 2021 annual reports, however 2 facilities submitted their reports after the reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that all 8 of the facilities met their BLIER targets for SO₂ and PM. There were no working group meetings held in 2021, however, there were meetings between ECCC and select facilities to discuss the contents of their annual report submissions.

In addition, each facility provided a report on progress towards implementing applicable recommendations in the Base Metals Smelting code of practice. On average, all 8 facilities fully implemented 95% of applicable recommendations including 3 facilities that implemented 100% of their applicable recommendations.

Tables 1 to 4 present the SO₂ and PM BLIERs targets and results for each facility.

Verification

ECCC received and verified the 2021 annual reports, which included data showing that each facility is meeting their BLIERs target(s) and reporting on their implementation of the recommendations in the Code of Practice. ECCC conducted meetings with some facilities to review their submissions. Facilities re-submitted revised information resulting from these meetings.

ECCC has followed up with the implementation and recommendations with the 1 facility for which corrective actions were recommended following the third-party verification. It was concluded that all recommendations have been implemented.

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 1 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. Three 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.