BQE Water Inc. 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 Southwestern USA. Utilizing 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, 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.