Glencore accused of discharging copper concentrate dust at Horne smelter

By Canadian Press on August 1, 2025.

ROUYN-NORANDA — Glencore’s Horne smelter is facing a charge under the province’s environmental laws for allegedly releasing copper concentrate dust in March 2023 at the Quebec facility.

Quebec’s Environment Department says in a statement the charge stems from an investigation it carried out after officials were called to the copper smelter northwest of Montreal on March 7, 2023.

At the time, several Rouyn-Noranda residents shared photos of what they described as “black snow” on social media and in the days that followed.

The company could face a minimum fine of $30,000.

The environment department says the presence of this contaminant is likely to be harmful to humans as well as cause damage or affect the quality of the nearby environment, ecosystems and living species.

Glencore Canada was not immediately available for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press