BQE Water Inc, a leader in the treatment and management of mine impacted waters, has completed the commissioning phase and transitioned to the operating phase of the agreement for a water treatment plant at a base metal mine in the southwestern US. Utilising its award winning Selen-IX™ process technology, BQE Water treats mine impacted waters, removing selenium to below 2 ppb (parts per billion), as well as dissolved metals, in compliance with applicable effluent quality regulations.

Under the agreement, BQE Water is responsible for clean water production for environmental discharge. Compensation for operations services consists of a base monthly fee and a supplemental fee for additional water treated over and above the base. The base monthly fee is payable regardless of the volume of water reporting to treatment but is subject to the plant being available for treatment. Both fees are paid subject to the plant effluent meeting the target effluent water quality.

Since the completion of commissioning, BQE Water says the plant has been operating 24/7 with an overall plant availability more than 95%. It is expected to run year-round and treat up to 4,500 gallons of water per minute, making it the largest Selen-IX™ plant currently in operation. The plant first removes a host of dissolved metals, followed by selenium removal. The key aspects of the plant design that led to the selection of Selen-IX™ technology for selenium removal included the stringent selenium effluent limit, the requirement for a rapid ramp-up in selenium removal capacity depending on flow and selenium concentrations, and the need to produce a stable non-hazardous residue.

David Kratochvil, President & CEO of BQE Water, commented: “I would like to congratulate our team on achieving this significant milestone in a project where BQE Water acted as a single point of accountability for clean water production from the initial treatability assessment through piloting, permitting, design and commissioning to operations. The project showcases not only our technical expertise but also our ability to de-risk projects while working closely with our clients and other stakeholders.”