BacTech Announces Feasibility Study for Ecuador Bioleaching Project
BacTech Announces Bankable Feasibility Study Results Confirming
Strong Economics for Ecuador Bioleaching Project
Key economic highlights include substantial NPV of US$46.9M, compelling IRR of
48% and projected EBITDA of US$8.8M @ $1600 gold
All dollar figures in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated
TORONTO, ON. December 1 6, 2021 – BacTech Environmental Corporation (CSE: BAC,
OTC: BCCEF , FSE: 0BT1) (“BacTech ” or the “ Company”), a commercially prov en
environmental technology company delivering effective and eco- friendly biomining and
remediation solutions, is pleased to announce and release the executive summary results of its 3rd
party produced Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”) for the staged development of its 100% owner-
operated bioleaching facility in Ponce Enriquez, Ecuador (“PE”). The results point toward a very
robust and economically compelling project with strong performance metrics.
South American mining and metallurgical engineering and development firm EPCM Consultores
S.R.L. (“EPCMC”) was engaged in July 2021 to undertake the independent feasibility study for
the Company’s proposed bioleach processing plant to be located in Tenguel, strategically situated
for easy accessibility to PE mining operations. The BFS outlines process economics expectations
and metrics pointing toward solid and long- term program viability, while considering associated
capital and operating costs for the project.
Key Economic Highlights:
• Pre-tax NPV (Net Present Value with 5% discount rate) of $46.9M
• Pre-tax IRR (Internal Rate of Return) of 48%
• Annual Gold Production of 25,900 ounces
• Capital Cost of $15.5M
• Bioleach Operating Cost of $212 per tonne
• Assumed Purchase Prices of Concentrate - 65% of the contained gold value
• Pre-tax Earnings Prior to Employee Bonus - $8.94M
• Payback (75% DEBT) - 2 years
“These results exceed my own expectations – especially an NPV of almost $50M and IRR of 48%
and provide a significant confidence boost for our proposed bioleaching project to move forward,”
said Ross Orr, CEO of BacTech Environmental. “This past year we’ve worked hard to create
lasting relationships with local government and industry partners that will benefit both plant
production optimization as well as the community and resident economy to make a community-
wide positive impact. We’ve built some cushion into the Capex to accommodate rural supply
chain realities, all of which is offset by a much lower Opex than what we originally envisioned.
So, what we’re looking at are some very healthy numbers that place us firmly in control of our
triple bottom line – being People, Planet and Profit. Y ou could say this project has ticked all the
boxes for investment as well as from an ESG perspective.”
Additional Project Economics & Parameters:
• Plant Design Capacity -15,030 tonnes of dry concentrate per annum
• Plant Life - 20 years
• Average Gold Recovery Bioleaching – 96%
• Annual Gold Production (55 gpt average feed) - 25,900 ounces
• All-in Opex - $212 per tonne
• Up Front Capital - $15.5M
• Base Case Gold Price - $1600 per ounce
• Payback from Start of Production – 2.5 years
Project Gold Price Sensitivity:
Gold Price NPV (5%) IRR EBITA
$1,500 $41M 43% $8.1M
$1,600 $47M 47% $8.8M
$1,700 $53M 53% $9.7M
$1,800 $59M 57% $10.6M
$1,900 $65M 62% $11.4M
The feasibility study contemplates the purchase of concentrates, high in both arsenic and gold
levels, from mines located in the Ponce Enriquez area of SW Ecuador. In total, there are over 90
small mines operating in the area. BacTech intends to return loc al miner compensation back to
previous payment levels, prior to a sweeping price reduction imposed by Chinese buyers due to
recent import levies on arsenic/gold concentrates entering China.
EPCMC is a South American engineering and development firm specializing in mining and
metallurgical projects. EPCMC has considerable experience in a range of professional engineering
services including feasibility studies, project design and construction within South America and
Europe, having delivered close to 50 major projects and working with various international mining
companies including Orvana, Silver Standard, Aquila Resources and Yamana Gold.
“As demand for greater environmental responsibility increases across the mining and resource
sectors, interest in using natural bacteria in a wider variety of commercial applications to extract
valuable metals is also accelerating,” Orr continued. “Like most investors in the Company, I’ve
been waiting for the BFS results – but we haven’t slowed down. In addition to gold recovery
operations in Ecuador, Peru and other areas, the Company sees a new generation of metallurgical
opportunities emerging in North America and other regions, each with their own significance and
upside potential.”
This press release has been reviewed by Dr. Paul C. Miller Ph.D. Chem. Eng. C.Eng. MIMM.,
considered to be a qualified expert for reporting purposes.
About the Ponce Enriquez Bioleaching Project
BacTech is planning to build a new owner -operated bioleaching facility near Ponce Enriquez,
Ecuador, in a region where arsenic is associated with gold ore (Arsenopyrite). The Company’s
plan is to build a 50 tpd bioleach plant capable of treating high gold/ arsenic material. A 50 tpd
plant, processing 1.75 ounces of gold per tonne of feed, similar to feeds available to the Company
from local miners , would produce approximately 26,000 ounces per year. Plant designs are
modular and can be expanded without affecting ongoing production. The total concentrate market
in the Ponce Enriquez area is estimated to be between 200 and 250 tonnes per day, allowing for
increased throughput potential with a larger plant.
BacTech continues to investigate the prospects of esta blishing additional modern bioleaching
facilities across other areas of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. Where possible, the Company will
partner with national and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and others
to assist with the funding of these projects.
About BacTech Environmental Corporation
BacTech is a proven environmental technology company, delivering effective and eco -friendly
biomining and remediation solutions to commercial operations to smartly process and recover
preferred m etals (gold, silver, cobalt, and copper) and safely remove and transform harmful
contaminants like arsenic into benign EPA-approved products for landfill. Tapping into numerous
environmental and economic advantages of its proprietary method of bioleaching, BacTech uses
naturally occurring bacteria, harmless to both humans and the environment, to neutralize toxic
mining sites with high -pay potential. BacTech is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol
“BAC”; on the OTC as “BCCEF”; and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as “OBT1”.
For further information contact:
Ross Orr
President & CEO, BacTech Environmental Corporation
416-813-0303 ext. 222,
Email: [email protected]
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