Extrakt Process Solutions, LLC (Extrakt) and Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions, Inc (BETS) have announced their new strategic global alliance. This new partnership marks a significant milestone in the commercialisation of Extrakt’s solid-liquid separation technology, known as TNS™, by leveraging Bechtel’s trusted experience in engineering and delivering solutions worldwide. The partners say TNS “addresses the long-standing challenges of mine tailings, dewatering, and product recovery in a sustainable and effective manner.”
Bechtel will identify commercial opportunities and provide engineering services to support the alliance, catering to both existing and new customers in the Energy and Mining & Metals sectors. Meanwhile, Extrakt will continue to advance the TNS technology, manage intellectual property, and offer technical services to ensure the success of the partnership.
“Bechtel’s strategic alliance with Extrakt for the commercialisation of TNS demonstrates our commitment to helping customers deliver on their environmental, social, and governance objectives,” said Faisal Mohmand, President of BETS at Bechtel. “We are proud to bring this solid-liquid separation technology to the global market to support the energy and mining industries, address long-standing challenges, and drive sustainable practices for future generations to thrive.”
“We are thrilled to team up with Bechtel in the global rollout of our technology, as they are an ideal partner to deliver this transformative solution to our customers,” stated William R. Florman, CEO of Extrakt. “TNS, born out of our response to industry dynamics, is a resilient and sustainable solid-liquid separation technology that effectively addresses dewatering challenges prevalent in mining and metals recovery operations. TNS will continue to perform well in presence of clays, making it a versatile and robust solution for delivering notable increases in high-value minerals throughput, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact – a significant departure from conventional practices.”
The TNS technology Extrakt says has undergone extensive evolution, marked by advancements in metal recovery, equipment, and water management, and has garnered more than 40 global patents. This innovation creates valuable new options for customers who previously lacked viable solutions for their energy and mining operations. By recovering minerals and materials from previously classified waste, this technology empowers customers to fulfil their sustainability commitments, reducing reliance on virgin resources and embracing an approach that both conserves natural resources and minimises the environmental footprint linked to mining operations.
Not much detail on TNS has been given other than: “Extrakt Process Solutions has a process to dewater and consolidate tailings. Unlike other methods used so far, this process achieves a solids content of greater than 75% quite easily. Originally, this was achieved through the use of ionic liquids (ILs). A more recent form of the process uses solutions of ILs together with small amounts of an additive.”