BacTech Environmental is shaking up the mining industry with a patented bioleaching process that promises to transform mine waste into valuable commodities. The Toronto-based company’s innovation targets low-grade metals and common waste minerals like pyrite and pyrrhotite, turning them into marketable products such as iron feedstock for steelmaking and ammonium sulphate fertilizer. This isn’t just about recovering metals; it’s about creating a zero-waste solution that generates multiple revenue streams, reducing investor risk and environmental impact.
Paul Miller, vice-president of technology and engineering at BacTech, explains the breakthrough: “The important difference in our process is that by actually generating these value-added products of iron for steelmaking and fertilizer, it really justifies the recovery of these low-grade metal values.” This process doesn’t just recover metals; it creates new markets for what was once considered waste. “It’s one thing to be able to separate those elements but to create purity levels of those elements which you can feed into the required industries is truly unique,” Miller states.
The environmental benefits are substantial. BacTech’s process is water-based and doesn’t require heating, avoiding the sulphurous gases produced by traditional roasting methods. It uses ammonia, a green reagent, and creates an ammonium sulphate fertilizer through sustainable, biological techniques. This shift could significantly alter the mining industry’s approach to waste management and resource recovery.
The scalability of BacTech’s process is a key selling point. Miller assures that the technology can handle the millions of tons of tailings scattered globally. “We’re using equipment which has been demonstrated at considerable scale in previous processes,” he says. This scalability, combined with the process’s simplicity, makes it applicable to a wide range of environments and skill levels.
The potential impact on industries beyond mining is enormous. In the iron sector, BacTech’s technology could open the door for new players, remodelling the industry by redirecting waste iron into steelmaking. For fertilizer production, it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional methods, turning environmental challenges into valuable commodities.
BacTech is now focused on fast-tracking the technology to commercial deployment. After two years of lab work and a successful patent filing, the company is ready to move into piloting stages and build a prototype commercial facility. Miller is confident in the pathway to development, citing the familiarity of the industry with the equipment and chemistry involved.
Licensing is the key to global adoption. BacTech aims to attract investors who see the groundbreaking potential of this technology. By creating diverse revenue streams, the process de-risks investments, making it an attractive proposition for those looking to enter the mining sector or expand their existing operations.
This development could spark a wave of innovation in the mining industry. If BacTech’s process proves successful on a large scale, it could set a new standard for waste management and resource recovery. Other companies may follow suit, leading to a more sustainable and economically viable mining sector. The potential for job creation and economic growth in regions with significant mine waste is also substantial. This isn’t just about cleaning up the past; it’s about building a more sustainable future for the mining industry.
