Vancouver, Canada-based BioteQ Environmental Technologies announced in late September it signed a development agreement with EcoMetales, an industrial waste management company owned by Codelco, to jointly evaluate and develop waste treatment projects to recover, recycle and treat metals from industrial waste, including mine, smelter and refinery waste, and have initiated their first project together to recover molybdenum from leach solutions.
EcoMetales operates a plant located 35 km northeast of Calama, Chile. The company, as an independent business unit, provides waste management treatment and metal recovery services for the mining industry in Chile.
BioteQ CEO Brad Marchant said, “We are pleased to be working with EcoMetales. This strategic alliance provides access to new customers in an important mining region, and creates opportunities for potential new projects where we can apply our existing technologies for metal recovery and sulphate removal.”
Ivan Valenzuela, CEO of EcoMetales, said, “EcoMetales is expanding its industrial waste treatment services internationally. By combining our technologies and know-how with BioteQ, we believe we can open new market opportunities for both companies. Together, EcoMetales and BioteQ can provide treatment solutions that recover valuable metals from waste, produce clean water for re-use, and reduce environmental liabilities for site owners.”
Prior to the agreement, EcoMetales contracted BioteQ Environmental Technologies to provide laboratory test work, piloting and conceptual engineering services for the recovery of molybdenum from leach solutions. Initial laboratory testing has been completed and pilot testing at the site is in progress. Upon completion of pilot testing, EcoMetales will evaluate the project economics of a full-scale plant, and will determine the appropriate business model to advance the project.
