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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 ground-breaking,zero-wastebioleach 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 Collaboration with MIRARCO (Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation, and
Applied Research Corporation ) continues for pilot-scale bioleach circuit testing inSudbury .
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 converted to acid during bioleaching. Steel manufacturing produces more CO2 than any other heavy industry, comprising around 8% of total global emissions. There are numerous worldwide initiativesfrom industry and government focused on environmental and economic solutions for reducing CO2 in steel manufacturing.
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 leavingzero-waste.
Applicable to the treatment of existing pyrrhotite or pyrite tailings or streams from current operations, the primary products delivered through the newzero-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
Drawing on past experience (Radio Hill,
“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 processesand reduce carbon emissions,” said
About
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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 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 required by law, any obligation to update anyforward-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.
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