BacTech Announces Successful TCPL Testing Results for Ecuador Gold Project
BacTech Announces Successful TCPL Testing Results;
Confirms Long-Term Environmental Stability of Ferric Arsenate
Precipitate as Ecuador Gold Project Advances
TORONTO, ON., August 30, 2021 – BacTech Environmental Corporation (OTC:BCCEF,
CSE:BAC) (“BacTech or the Company”), a commercially proven environmental technology
company delivering effective and eco-friendly biomining and remediation solutions, is
pleased to announce final bioleaching test results showing the successful neutralization of
bio-oxidation liquors and TCLP stability testing of ferric arsenate precipitates.
Four neutralization tests were performed on two final bio-oxidation liquors from the
Ecuadorian commercial bioleach testing program, confirming that an environmentally stable
ferric arsenate precipitate could be produced. The neutralization process, where limestone is
added and calibrated to raise the pH of the bioleach liquor to facilitate the precipitation of the
ferric arsenate, conclusively demonstrated that the precipitate passes the TCLP (Toxicity
Characteristic Leaching Procedure) requirements for stability set out by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).
“These results tick another important box for us, as we formally wrap-up commercial
bioleach testing with the information and results needed to press forward and accelerate our
feasibility study (FS) and site negotiation efforts,” said Ross Orr, President and CEO of
BacTech. “I’ve been actively connecting with all the right people throughout Ponce Enriquez
and surrounding regions, and our opportunity space grows with every trip taken. The impact
potential of a scalable bioleaching facility is enormous and I’m not leaving anything to
chance.”
Duplicate neutralization tests were performed on each liquor, using both lime and limestone
as the neutralization reagent. Neutralization was conducted in an agitated aerated reactor over
a six-hour contact time as per commercial protocol for bio-oxidation plants. Test results
showed that the amount of arsenic remaining in solution was 0.5ppm, while the quantity of
iron was minimal (between 3ppm to 18ppm due to the presence of residual ferrous iron). This
analysis confirms that the neutralization operation will produce a neutral clean water as a by-
product that is suitable for recycling in the process. This finding is significant for BacTech as
it will reduce the quantity of fresh water required on site.
The Toxicity Characteristic Leach Procedure (TCLP) test is a procedure to evaluate the long -
term stability of the arsenic in the precipitate produced by the neutralization process. It is a
favoured US EPA method for characterizing waste as either hazardous or non-hazardous as
defined in the Code of Federal Regulations; RCRA 40 CFR Part 261. The test involves
efforts to re-leach the arsenic into an acidic solution using a standardized protocol and aims
to simulate long term conditions within a landfill.
Summary of Liquor Neutralisation and TCLP Test Results
Test
No
Bio-oxidation
Liquor
Iron and Arsenic
Concentration.
Neutralization
Reagent
Iron and Arsenic
Remaining in
Liquor after
Neutralization.
Arsenic in
Solid
Precipitate.
Arsenic
leached
in
TCLP.
10506 26.87g/l Fe;12g/l
As.
Limestone 18ppmFe;
0.5ppmAs
4.9% 1.5ppm
10507 29.67g/lFe;11.64g/l
As.
Limestone 4ppmFe;0.5ppmAs 5.66% 0.5ppm
10508 Same as 10506 Lime 7ppmFe;0.5ppmAs 4.56% 2.4ppm
10509 Same as 10507 Lime 3ppmFe:0.5ppmAs 4.92% 0.7ppm
This press release has been reviewed by Dr. Paul C. Miller Ph.D Chem. Eng. C.Eng. MIMM.,
considered a qualified expert for reporting purposes.
About the Ponce Enriquez Bioleaching Project
BacTech is planning to build its new owner-operated bioleaching facility in Ponce Enriquez,
Ecuador, in a region where arsenic is well-known to exist in the gold ore. The Company’s
plan is to build a 50 tpd bioleach plant capable of treating high gold/arsenic material. A 50
tpd plant, processing 1.5 ounces of gold per tonne of feed, similar to feeds available to the
Company, would produce approximately 26,000 ounces per year. Plant designs are modular
and can be expanded without affecting ongoing production.
BacTech continues to investigate the prospects of establishing additional modern mining
operations across other areas of Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Central America. 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 metals (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” and on the OTC as “BCCEF”.
For further information contact:
Ross Orr
President & CEO, BacTech Environmental Corporation
416-813-0303 ext. 222,
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://bactechgreen.com/
Investor Presentation: https://bactechgreen.com/investors/
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 around 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”, “intends”, “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 forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made
as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims, other than as require d by law, any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, 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: 140,592,204
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 a n offer to buy any of the shares, nor is
it a solicitation of interest from a prospective investor.