During the update of the 2008 Zincor emission inventory (part of the environmental management master plan review), it was noted that significant amounts of gases at the roaster plant were escaping through cracks and unsealed valves. This resulted in low-level emissions which should have been vented through a 45m-high stack (left below). These emissions were identified as a significant risk to human health, given their high levels of harmful particulate matter and sulphur dioxide.

At the time of the review, plans were on track to rebuild Zincor’s roaster to reduce the loss of sulphur dioxide and increase the efficiency of the plant. At the end of the rebuild, low-level emissions were reduced significantly to acceptable levels of sulphur dioxide and particulate matter The roaster rebuild not only helped address the efficiency aspect of the process but also allowed the Zincor environmental department to comply with air emission requirements.