BacTech Unveils IP for Green Technology for Steel Production from Sulphide Minerals
BacTech Environmental Unveils Intellectual Property for ‘Zero-
Waste’ Metals Recovery & Fertilizer Production
Files Patent Application for Industry’s First-ever, Zero-Waste Bioleach Process Using Green
Technology for Metals Recovery and Fertilizer and Steel Production from Sulphide Minerals
Key Highlights:
• Company files expanded Provisional Patent Application for zero-waste bioleach process
Intellectual Property (IP).
• Engineered for eco-friendly nickel, copper, and cobalt recovery from pyrrhotite and pyrite
tailings, new zero-waste IP introduces novel methods for transforming remaining waste
compounds into valuable, alternative green commodities.
• Zero-waste IP now optimized to convert soluble iron into iron metal (produced on-site or
as a feedstock to green steel making ) and to create ammonium sulphate fertilizer from
bioleach acid (sold as organic fertilizer).
• Independent estimates suggest approximately 80 to 100 million tonnes of pyrrhotite
tailings in the Sudbury , Ontario region alone (pyrrhotite and pyrite waste is common to
many mining operations).
• Testing and C ollaboration with MIRARCO (Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation, and
Applied Research Corporation) continues for pilot -scale biol each circuit testing in
Sudbury.
TORONTO, ON – April 8, 2024 – BacTech Environmental Corporation (“BacTech” or the
“Company”) ( CSE: BAC, OTC: BCCEF, FSE: 0BT1 ), a well -established environmental
technology company specializing in environmentally friendly bioleaching and remediation
solutions for the recovery of precious metals and critical minerals, today announces it has filed an
expanded provisional patent application introducing new Intellectual Property (IP) and methods
capitalizing on the inherent mechanisms of bioleaching. This process, aside from effectively
extracting valuable metals like nickel, copper , and cobalt from pyrrhotite or pyrite tailings , uses
eco-friendly technology and sustainable power sources to eliminate all waste during tailings
reprocessing operations, delivering a first-ever zero-waste, low-carbon liberation, and extraction
approach for valuable metals recovery.
“BacTech's IP development path specifically aligns with broader trends across mining and steel
industry operations, consistent with continued public and policymaker calls to shift processes and
reduce carbon emissions ,” said Ross Orr, President, and CEO of BacTech. “Furthermore, it is
appropriate to the commercial interests of non -ferrous metal production, steel making and
fertilizer production which are all traditionally siloed as separate industries. We believe our zero-
waste metals recovery IP will emerge as a defining solution. By diversifying the range of products
derived from these projects, BacTech aims to reduce dependence on long-term metal prices as the
primary drivers for investment in remediation efforts while treating pyrrhotite and pyrite waste
streams from current operations. BacTech plans to capitalize on fostering both sustainability and
profitability in the industry by creating land value previously occupied by a legacy of mining
industry waste.”
Making Steel, Fertilizer and Recovering Metals Using Green Technology
Pyrrhotite is an iron sulphide mineral containing low levels of nickel, cobalt, and copper —
typically dismissed and discarded as an uneconomical waste by-product by mining operations that
continues to perpetuate an environmental tailings legacy in need of remediation.
The Company’s updated Intellectual Property (IP) retains its original bioleaching approach to
recovering metal values and producing multiple commodities from low grade mine wastes , but
now introduces novel innovation to selectively convert soluble iron into iron metal for green steel
making and produce ammonium sulphate fertilizer from the sulphur which is conve rted to acid
during bioleaching.
While the patent application update offers two iron product options, BacTech will first explore
direct electrowinning of iron from the bioleach solution for on -site iron metal production,
potentially bypassing the need for manufacturing an iron feedstock for conventional iron/steel
production and likely proving to be more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective. Further,
following the sequential precipitation of copper, nickel, and cobalt from the solution , the soluble
ammonium sulphate, produced during the process, will be crystallized and packaged for sale at a
premium as an organic fertilizer. Any residual water will be returned to the process, effectively
leaving zero-waste.
Applicable to the treatment of existing pyrrhotite or pyrite tailings or streams from current
operations, the primary products delivered through the new zero-waste, low -carbon bioleach
processes specifically include:
• Mixed nickel/cobalt precipitate.
• Copper precipitate.
• On-site iron metal production via electrowinning or iron pellets for off -site conventional
iron manufacturing or green steel making.
• Ammonium sulphate fertilizer.
• Additional minor by -products such as magnetite powder and geopolymers silica for
construction material or mine backfill.
The technology can also be adapted to recover precious metals and platinum group elements
present in low grade pyrite feedstocks.
Close Collaboration with MIRARCO
BacTech continues its close collaboration with MIRARCO (Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation,
and Applied Research Corporation), an organization renowned for providing innovative solutions
to challenges in the mining industry since its establishment in 1998. MIRARCO have set up a
pilot-scale bioleach circuit in Sudbury to conduct test work on BacTech’s tec hnology, aimed at
breaking down pyrrhotite sul phide minerals into individual elements. Independent estimates
suggest that there are approximately 80 to 100 million tonnes of pyrrhotite tailings in the Sudbury
basin, containing 60% iron, 30-35% sulphur, 0.85% nickel, 0.03% cobalt, and copper, accumulated
over a century of mining activity.
Drawing on past experience (Radio Hill, Australia) with bioleaching pyrrhotite material for nickel
recovery, BacTech is confident in replicating previous results while the new IP enhances project
value by enabling the production of multiple products previously unattainable through
conventional bioleach processing. Zero or minimal waste from remediation operations also
converts previously unusable land into valued assets.
About BacTech Environmental Corporation
BacTech Environmental Corporation is a company that specializes in environmental technology.
We use a process called bioleaching to recover metals like gold, silver, cobalt, nickel, and copper,
while also safely removing harmful contaminants like arsenic. This process is eco -friendly and
uses naturally occurring bacteria that are safe for both humans and the environment. By using our
proprietary method of bioleaching, we can neutralize toxic concentrates and tailings while also
creating profitable opportuni ties. The company is publicly traded on several stock exchanges,
including the CSE, OTCQB, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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/
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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 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 required 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.
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.