BacTech Potential for Bioleach in Peru
BacTech Confirms Gold and Copper Concentrate Potential in Peru for
Bioleaching
Trujillo-Area Field Study Determines Abundance of High-Arsenic Enargite
and Chalcopyrite Readily Available from Local Producers
TORONTO, ON. February 1, 2022 – BacTech Environmental Corporation (CSE: BAC, OTC: BCCEF,
FSE: 0 BT1) (“BacTech or the Company”), a commercially proven environmental technology
company delivering effective and eco -friendly bioleaching and reme diation solutions, today
announced its bioleaching project interests in Peru will advance, focusing on gold and copper
concentrates and potential metal recovery efforts.
Having developed relationships with a number of artisanal miners and processors throughout the
Trujillo area, BacTech has made arrangements to collect seven 15kg concentrate samples during
the next two-to-three months from selected producers and processors. Global mining executive
and technical advisor Oscar A. Alvarado Sr. will continue on as project lead. When ready, the
samples will be shipped to ALS Laboratories facilities in Perth, Australia and subjected to bioleach
testing under the guidance of Dr. Paul Miller. BacTech h as no ownership in any of the mines
where concentrates are being sourced.
Similar to the model in place for the Company’s commercial interests in Ecuador, BacTech has
been meeting with producers who are looking to maximize returns for their concentrates,
knowing that a safe and profitable processing solution to tre at high arsenic concentrates in the
Trujillo area is being considered. BacTech believes a bio -oxidation plant would support local
economic development with the benefit of knowing that the processing of toxic materials would
be dealt with in a sustainable manner.
Miners across South America have been affected by an October 1, 2021 Chinese government -
directed import tax of 13% placed on arsenic gold concentrates coming into the country for
processing. This action has resulted in price slashing scenarios in which the miners are paid
approximately 50% of the gold value delivered. Penalties escalate further with contained arsenic
levels above the 10% level.
In one illustrative meeting, BacTech was shown material from three different areas of a single
mine – each selectively mined in an effort to produce lower arsenic values for Chinese buyers. All
sample materials contained copper, gold and silver as recoverable metals, yet prices being paid
all fell considerably short of BacTech’s Fair Market Value estimates:
● Sample 1 - FMV / $750 per ton; Price Realized / $270 per ton
● Sample 2 - FMV / $650 per ton; Price Realized / $200 per ton
● Sample 3 - FMV / $500 per ton; Price Realized / $80 per ton
“As we’ve seen in Ecuador, Peruvian producers are forced to mine selectively and avoid areas
with high arsenic levels. The one big difference between projects is that Peru also includes copper
in addition to gold, which has me excited,” said Ross Orr, CEO of BacTech Environmental.
“Because our novel bioleaching solutions use biology to safely process a wide array of mined
metals, we’re able to seek out and capitalize on these opportunities that others find prohibitive.
We believe Trujillo has the type of high -pay potential that our shareholders will find attracti ve,
but we also see ourselves partnering with the community and being in a position to help lift the
local economy while maintaining exceptional margins.”
Important to note, BacTech has previous experience working with chalcopyrite having
collaborated with Industrias Penoles, S.A.B. (Q: IPOAF) on a bioleaching R&D project at its
research park in Monterrey, Mexico a number of years ago. At the time, Penoles committed
US$5M to build a demonstration plant to investigate the use of bioleaching on dirty chalcopyrite
copper concentrates. Copper recovery using bioleaching / solvent extraction / electrowinning
technology was used to produce 99.99% pure copper plate.
“It’s important to get a jumpstart on assessing the commercial viability of this project, even as
we edge closer to permitting and a construction start in Ecuador. We’ve learned a lot over the
years, and this knowledge will be put to good use and make all forthcoming projects as turnkey
as possible. The plan is for BacTech to be active in multiple countries,” Orr continued. “We build
our own plants and utilize our own eco-conscious proprietary technology for a reason – it places
us firmly in control of our own triple bottom line focusing on people, planet and profit.”
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, w ould 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.
In total, there are over 90 small mines operating in the area. BacTech intends to return local
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. BacTech continues to investigate the prospects of establishing 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 process and recover preferred
metals (gold, silver, cobalt, and copper) smartly 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 “0BT1”.
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 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgXr3ej2_BMOtoeFoKIgEg
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 for ward-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 infor mation, 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: 157,455,558
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.