On September 11, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the government agency focused on the responsible development, use and competitiveness of Canada’s natural resources and products, announced the launch of a pilot project focused on testing a new technology developed by E2metrix, which will help clean and recycle Canada’s mining wastewater.

As the lead proponent of the project, E2Metrix sought Golder’s support as technology integrator. Through the Canadian Clean Growth Program and the CanmetMINING Science & Technology Assistance for Cleantech (STAC) Contribution, the pilot project will receive C$5.1 million in funding.

For the next two years, a partnership consisting of E2Metrix, Osisko Mining, CanmetMINING, Investissement Québec, Quebec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation, and Golder, will evaluate the performance of water treatment using electrochemical technologies on two mine sites in the provinces of Quebec and British Columbia. If the feasibility of these technologies are demonstrated during this project, it will provide mining companies with a new sustainable approach to comply with ammonia nitrogen discharge standards.

As part of this partnership, the water treatment group from Golder’s Montréal (Canada) office is responsible for the process engineering that will allow the integration of E2Metrix’s ECOTHOR technology on the client’s sites. “Our water treatment team has already completed several successful water treatment projects for other industries using electrocogulation technology and is optimistic about the approach proposed for this pilot project and its potential as a treatment option for the mining industry’s water management programs.”