BacTech Environmental Corporation Announces Breakthrough ‘Zero-Waste’ Patent for Tailings Treatment
Toronto-based company BacTech Environmental Corporation has made a significant breakthrough in tailings treatment with the announcement of a new ‘zero-waste’ patent. The patent, which aims to treat pyrrhotite and pyrite tailings using bioleaching, has been vested to an investor group for Cdn$100,000. This agreement will enable the technology to be further developed to full patent status, along with preliminary process modeling work required for a conceptual design of a demonstration plant.
BacTech’s ‘zero-waste’ preliminary patent, expected to be finalized by April of next year, seeks to generate a portfolio of saleable products from the re-treatment of tailings near Sudbury, Canada. By utilizing this innovative technology, BacTech aims to transform materials that would otherwise be considered waste into valuable commodities, while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns.
The patent outlines a process that involves bioleaching to make the elements of pyrrhotite soluble, followed by a unique combination of downstream processing steps. This process effectively interfaces with the iron industry, producing intermediate iron for steel or battery production, as well as ammonium sulphate fertilizer for sale. Additionally, nickel and cobalt contained within the mixed precipitates will be precipitated out as saleable commodities, providing an additional revenue stream.
BacTech’s Vice President of Metallurgy and Bioleaching, Dr. Paul Miller, expressed confidence in the economic benefits of bioleaching sulphide tailings. He highlighted the potential of this technology to address the environmental issues caused by the rapid oxidation of pyrrhotite, a volatile sulphide mineral that was previously separated and deposited as waste in lakes.
Furthermore, the ‘zero-waste’ technology developed by BacTech can also be applied to the treatment of other iron sulphide minerals, such as pyrite, which are often difficult to process economically. The company’s ongoing MIRARCO piloting study, supported by a $100,000 commitment, aims to diversify revenue streams and encourage investment in re-treatment and rehabilitation projects.
BacTech Environmental Corporation specializes in environmental technology, utilizing bioleaching to recover metals and safely remove contaminants. The company’s proprietary method of bioleaching is eco-friendly and utilizes naturally occurring bacteria that are safe for both humans and the environment. BacTech is publicly traded on several stock exchanges, including the CSE, OTCQB, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
For further information, please contact Ross Orr, President & CEO of BacTech Environmental Corporation, at borr@bactechgreen.com or 416-813-0303 ext. 222.