VANCOUVER, June 14 /CNW/ - BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc.
(TSX-V:BQE), is pleased to report that BioteQ has been selected by Summit
County Open Space and Trails Department ("Summit County") and the Town of
Breckenridge (the "Town") in Colorado to provide its technology to treat water
from the Wellington Oro Mine, which is located near Breckenridge. The
selection of the BioteQ proposal was approved by the US Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") as the preferred technology for the site. Project
commencement is subject to final contract documentation and court approvals
for land acquisition by Summit County and the Town.
The Wellington Oro Mine, which is located 2 miles east of Breckenridge,
operated as a zinc-silver mine and has been closed since the 1970's. Surface
drainage from the mining area produces an acidic wastewater that requires
treatment before discharge to the French Gulch tributary of the Blue River.
The proposed BioteQ plant will be designed to recover zinc, lead and cadmium
into a zinc-rich concentrate product for shipment off site for final refining.
The BioteQ process offers significant benefits for this site as it does not
produce any waste metal-laden sludge for long term storage at the site and
produces high quality water for discharge directly to the environment.
BioteQ will be responsible for the design, construction and commissioning
of the treatment plant and ongoing process maintenance on a fee basis. Lyntek,
a Denver based engineering and construction company, is BioteQ's partner on
the project and will provide detailed engineering and construction management
services for the proposed plant as well as ongoing operational support. It is
anticipated that the plant will be commissioned in 2006.
The parties have commenced discussions for a final contract to build the
water treatment plant, which is subject to completion of the land purchase of
the Wellington Oro Mine site and surrounding 1,800 acres by Summit County and
the Town. The land purchase has been agreed between the land owners, Summit
County and the Town and is awaiting final court approval.
Corporate Profile
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BioteQ is establishing itself as a leader in the treatment of acid
contaminated water through the use of its patented BioSulphide(R) Process.
Focused on the mining industry, BioteQ has partnered with leading metal
producers including Phelps Dodge, Breakwater and Falconbridge as well as
utilities operator EPCOR Water Services, to finance, design, build and operate
mine site water treatment plants which recover saleable metals in addition to
meeting ever stricter environmental regulations.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Brad Marchant
