Assay Results for Ecuador Project
BacTech Receives Assay Results of Up to 2.24 Oz Gold Per Tonne
Toronto, Canada, December 3, 2020
BacTech Environmental Corporation (OTC:BCCEF, CSE:BAC)(“BacTech or the
Company”) today announced the assay results for the six concentrate samples collected from
small mine producers in Ponce Enriquez, Ecuador. The area is known for its production of gold
rich arsenopyrite material. The assay work was conducted by ALS Laboratories in Vancouver,
Canada.
“The results were all relatively close to the stated grades provided by the miners at the
time we collected the samples with a single exception, the reason for which is being
investigated.
“Now that we have confirmed the positive magnitudes, with respect to gold and arsenic
values, we can begin the next phase of the project which will be the bioleach test work.
Concentrate will be shipped to Perth, Australia where the test work will be conducted at ALS’
metallurgical laboratory under the guidance of BacTech’s Dr. Paul Miller. A full report of the
test work will be available in 5-6 months from the onset of the test program,” concluded Orr.
Sample Received
Weight (kg)
Gold
(ounces)/t
Value per tonne
(contained Au)
$1900/oz
Silver
(ounces)/t
Arsenic per
tonne (%)
#1 0.25 1.19 $2260.00 4.55 1.24
#2 0.25 0.61 $1160.00 5.16 18.0
*#3 0.26 2.24 $4256.00 4.20 33.0
**#4 0.26 0.22 $418.00 0.65 0.4
#5 0.27 0.90 $1710.00 2.70 14.9
#6 0.26 0.40 $760.00 1.39 6.45
* This sample reported 9.64% copper in concentrate
**It is assumed that sample #4 was incorrectly submitted as tailings material given the difference in gold value vs the
other samples submitted for assay.
Sample #2 reported copper values of 9.64%. With the recent resurgence in the price of
copper an investigation will be conducted to see if a copper by-product can be produced for
sale. The most likely conclusion, with respect to the presence of copper, would be that the
material is enargite. BacTech is considering shipping this material to Laurentian University to
conduct a desk top study similar to the test program conducted on the original mineral samples
from Ecuador. The test work would determine the ability of bioleaching to produce both gold
and copper metal.
An interesting aspect of the mineral processing in Ponce Enriquez has been identified by
BacTech’s Bernardo Brito. Mr. Brito has been in active discussions with various mines sourcing
concentrate for test work. A common theme of processing has emerged with respect to
suppressing arsenic in the floating of concentrates to reduce the arsenic content and the
associated penalties imposed by Asian smelters. This has the consequence of also suppressing
gold recovery as the amount of gold that reports to the concentrate is below what normal
flotation methods would provide. BacTech’s approach of not charging penalties on arsenic will
allow the miner to produce a higher grade of gold concentrate. BacTech’s bioleach technology
is highly amenable to treating concentrates with very high arsenic contents and therefore does
not have the same constraint as producing concentrates for smelting.
“What we are seeing are the miners trying to tailor their production to lower the arsenic
they deliver in the concentrates. This leads to lower gold grades in the concentrates and less
value to the miner. We hope to change this by encouraging them to not worry about the
arsenic grade and focus on gold recovery,” added Orr.
The bioleach test work to be conducted in Perth will involve three separate tests. Two
samples of the material that were assayed in Vancouver at ALS had already been contacted
with cyanide by the miner to recover the gold that was not refractory. As high levels of
residual cyanide compounds can be detrimental to the bacteria, these two sample will be
subjected to a simple pre-treatment process before any bioleach test work is started. The third
test will use a composite of samples which have not previously been subjected to cyanidation.
From the reported samples it is recommended that bioleach test work be undertaken on
samples #1, #3 and #5. According to assay records of the mine the magnitude of gold in sample
#4 should be much higher. Investigations will be pursued to evaluate the reasons for this
anomaly.
With respect to other projects being pursued by BacTech , the Company is still awaiting
the reopening of travel within Colombia . When access is approved BacTech and MetalTec will
engage a third-party for sampling of the gold/platinum tailings that was announced by BacTech
on August 10, 2020.
In summary, BacTech is investigating the prospects of a build/own/operate bioleach
facility to be based in Ponce Enriquez, Ecuador. The selection of Ponce Enriquez is driven by the
extremely high levels of arsenic that is associated with gold in the +90 small mines in the area
which attract high penalties in smelting . Presently, the miners are forced to sell their
production at reduced prices to Asian buyers due to the high arsenic values in the concentrates
and accept lower financial returns. BacTech proposes to pay better prices for the miners’
material, by eliminating penalties for arsenic, and process higher grade gold to reduce overall
refining costs. This concept can be repeated in areas of Peru, Colombia and Central America
where arsenic is known to exist alongside gold mining.
Qualified Person Statement
All technical information disclosed in this news release was approved by Gary Williams,
MSc., P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved
this news release.
ABOUT BACTECH
BacTech is promoting the use of its proprietary bioleach processing technology to treat historic
arsenopyrite concentrates and tailings produced in the Ponce Enriquez area of Southern Ecuador.
The Company is also awaiting the reduction in government impose d Covid restrictions in
Colombia where BacTech will investigate a gold/platinum tailings project.
For further information contact:
Ross Orr,
President & CEO, BacTech Environmental Corporation
416-813-0303 ext. 222,
Cell 416-346-5529 and
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bactechgreen.com
Follow us on:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BacTechGreen
Twitter http://twitter.com/BacTechGreen
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/1613873
Vimeo http://vimeo.com/bactechgreen
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/bactechgreen
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information”, which may include, but is not limited
to, statements with respect to future tailings sites, sampling or other investigations of tailing
sites, the Company’s ability to make use of infrastructure aro und tailings sites or operating
performance of the Company and its projects. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements
can be identified using words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”,
“estimates”, “forecasts”, “intend s”, “anticipates”, or believes” or variations (including negative
variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”,
“could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward- looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forw ard-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and
the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-
looking statements whether because of new inform ation, results, future events, circumstances,
or if management’s estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader
is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Shares outstanding: 116,914,667
The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of
the shares, nor is it a solicitation of interest from a prospective investor.