Horne Foundry: Benoit Charette promises certification details by end of March | Arsenic Rouyn-Noranda

Environment Minister Benoit Charette (File photo)

Benoit Charette affirms that the details of the new ministerial certificate imposed on the Horne Foundry, in Rouyn-Noranda, will be known by the end of March.

Interpellated during of the question period in the National Assembly on Thursday, the Minister of the Environment pointed out that the deadline requested by the leaders of Glencore to present their co Comments on the certificate were coming to an end.

We will have a response from the company within the next few days, he said. We have an obligation to comment on this answer.

“Normally, somewhere in March, we will be able to confirm the terms of the authorization, but in no way will we allow the laxity of the former governments on this question.

— Benoît Charette

Minister Charette also reiterated that the requirements for the Horne Smelter will extend to more airborne contaminants.

Nickel was qualified in these authorizations, but the other metals were not even considered even though the environmental regulations are clear. There are going to be conditions on arsenic, nickel, other metals and other conditions as well, he said.