Base metals smelters and refineries and zinc plants: pollution prevention planning notice

This notice and its amendment apply to any owner or operator of a base metal smelter or refinery or zinc plant that is listed in the notice.

For more details, refer to the base metals smelters and refineries and zinc plants notice (PDF) and its amendment (PDF).

If you are uncertain whether you are subject to the notice, contact us for clarification or to obtain a notification of non-engagement form.

Deadlines

You must:

• prepare a pollution prevention plan by October 29, 2006, and submit a report (schedule 1) by November 28, 2006
• submit the first interim progress report on June 1, 2007
• submit subsequent interim progress reports on June 1 of every year until submission of the schedule 5
• implement a pollution prevention plan by December 31, 2015 and submit a report (schedule 5) by January 30, 2016

Reporting

You must complete and submit reports to the Government of Canada. Contact us to receive instructions.

Performance results

In 2015, facilities have reported overall reductions of 48% for SO₂, 52% for particulate matter, 90% for mercury, and 65% for dioxins and furans from the base year (2005). In addition, reported metal releases not subject to any targets under the notice (arsenic, cadmium, lead and nickel) have decreased substantially since 2005. 2 facilities remain subject to the notice and were granted time extension. The deadline to implement the plan was extended to November 16, 2018. For more information, see the performance report.

Time Extension

Glencore Canada Corporation - Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, Sudbury Smelter and Vale Canada Limited (Manitoba Operations and Copper Cliff Operations) were granted a time extension to implement their pollution prevention plan. The deadline was extended to December 31, 2018.

Related information

• Pollution prevention planning notices and your legal obligations
• Create and implement your pollution prevention plan
• Guidance document for management of wastes from the base metals smelting sector
• Environmental code of practice for base metals smelters and refineries
• Technical assessment of environmental performance and emission reduction options
• HATCH review of environmental releases for the base metals smelters sector
• Base metals smelting sector strategic options report (document available upon request)

Past consultations

• Proposed notice (PDF)
  
• Response to comments on the proposed notice

Contact us

Technical inquiries regarding the content of this notice:
Mining and Processing Division
Email: ec.mmp-tmm.ec@canada.ca

Inquiries regarding reporting and pollution prevention practices:
Regulatory Innovation and Management Systems
Telephone: 1-844-580-3637
Email: ec.planp2-p2plan.ec@canada.ca