Glencore Canada says it has yet to reach an agreement with the Quebec government on a long-term regulatory framework for the Horne smelter and Canadian Copper Refinery (CCR), despite a self-imposed January 31 deadline to confirm a viable path forward for the operations.

In an update released on January 30, the company said it continued to hold discussions with provincial authorities but that key issues remained unresolved.

“At this time, certain key elements remain unresolved. It is critical to break the current impasse without delay to secure the continuation of operations and the investments required to support the future of the Horne smelter and CCR,” the company said.

Glencore is planning a new generation of environmental improvement projects at the site, with capital requirements estimated at about $300-million. These initiatives are intended to strengthen emissions controls and improve environmental performance.

However, Glencore said it could not commit to investments of this scale without greater regulatory certainty.

“Glencore Canada reiterates its willingness to invest in its facilities, but a financial commitment of this magnitude requires stability and predictability,” it said.

This, the company added, depended on establishing “a stable and realistic regulatory framework for the years ahead – at a minimum for the duration of the next ministerial authorisation”.

“The next steps in this process will depend on the parties' ability to reach agreement quickly on viable conditions that both enable the company to deliver on its commitment to continuous improvement and support the long-term sustainability of its operations,” Glencore said.

According to Glencore, key requirements for the smelter’s future include aligning the ministerial permit with the July 22 modification request to allow full implementation of its emissions reduction plan on a realistic timeline, and confirming a stable framework for future permits, including maintaining a 15 ng/m³ arsenic target or an alternative mechanism to reduce investment risk.

The company also acknowledged the continued support of its workforce and partners as discussions continue.