Iron, steel and ilmenite sector: pollution prevention planning notice

The notice requires iron, steel and ilmenite facilities to prepare and implement a pollution prevention plan in respect of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxide (NO_X), and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The notice includes targets for SO₂ and NO_x. Also, facilities have to consider implementing best practices to reduce fugitive VOC emissions where appropriate and practicable.

This notice is in effect from May 6, 2017, to June 1, 2028, and applies to any owner or operator of:

• a facility listed in Table 1 of the notice
• an iron, steel or ilmenite smelting facility that started operations between May 6, 2017, and December 31, 2027

For more details, refer to the iron, steel and ilmenite sector notice.

Deliverables and deadlines

Facilities listed in Table 1 of the notice must prepare and implement a pollution prevention plan, and submit declaration and progress reports by the following deadlines.

Note: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline for submitting the fourth interim progress report for the 2021 calendar year is extended to September 1, 2022.

Facilities that become subject to the notice after May 6, 2017 must:

• prepare a pollution prevention plan no later than 6 months after the start of your operations, and submit a report (schedule 1) within 30 days following the end of the 6-month period
• submit annual interim progress reports (schedule 4) on June 1 of the year after the start of your operations and every subsequent year on June 1 until the year 2027
• implement a pollution prevention plan no later than May 2, 2028, and submit a report (schedule 5) by June 1, 2028

Reporting

You must complete and submit reports by the deadlines detailed above.

• How to use the reporting tool
• Reporting instructions

Performance results

One facility out of 14 facilities subject to the notice is officially closed. All 13 facilities subject to the notice submitted their declaration of preparation (schedule 1) and their first, second and third interim progress report (schedule 4) for the year of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. The fourth interim progress reports (schedule 4) with data from 2021 are expected by September 1, 2022.

The third interim progress report (IPR 3) submission was due by September 1, 2021. Nine facilities submitted on or prior to the due date and four facilities submitted late due to pandemic impacts.

The BLIERS NO_x target for the integrated mills and mini mills facilities is to reduce NO_x emissions by May 2, 2020. According to the 2020 report, ten facilities met their NO_x target, which include 3 out of 4 integrated mills and 7 out of 8 mini mills. After verification with the 2 facilities that did not meet the target, it is expected they will meet the target next year.

The BLIERS target for the ilmenite smelting facility is to reduce SO₂ emissions to 2.66 kg per tonne of titanium slag produced, by May 2, 2019. According to the 2019 and 2020 report, the facility met this target. They emitted 2.34 kg and 2.35 kg of SO₂, respectively. 

All other targets are to be met in 2025 or beyond. These will be assessed at a future date, as appropriate. Refer to table 2 of the iron, steel and ilmenite sector notice for more details on the BLIER air emission targets for NO_x and SO₂.

To access facility detailed schedule 1 and schedule 4 reports, refer to the P2 Planning Reports.

Related information

• Erratum
• Pollution prevention planning notices and your legal obligations
• Create and implement your pollution prevention plan
• Canada-wide Air Quality Management System
• Iron, steel and ilmenite sector: code of practice overview
• Integrated steel mills: code of practice overview
• Non-Integrated steel mills: code of practice overview

Past consultations

• Proposed notice requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans for the iron, steel and ilmenite sector
• Response to comments on the proposed notice

Contact us

Technical inquiries regarding the content of this notice:
Mining and Processing Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3

Email: mmp-tmm@ec.gc.ca

Inquiries regarding reporting and pollution prevention practices:
Regulatory Innovation and Management Systems
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3

Email: planp2-p2plan@ec.gc.ca