TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - Dr. Gene Shelp, President and CEO of ENPAR Technologies Inc. (TSX:ENP), ("ENPAR") is pleased to report that ENPAR has completed the testing of the pilot scale ammonia treatment plant at a mine site in northern Ontario.
The testing program clearly demonstrated that the Company's patented AmmEL-LC Water Treatment System effectively removes ammonia from mining waste water to below the discharge requirement of 10 mg/L at a low operating cost of approximately $0.10 per m(3) water treated. Furthermore, the efficiency of the technology is not affected by low water temperature. The latter point is very important because many mining sites occur in regions of the world where temperatures are below 5 oC for several months of the year.
The Company is currently utilizing the pilot scale test data to complete the engineering design and assessment of related costs with the intent of submitting a cost proposal to the mining company for a full-scale treatment plant. As previously reported, ENPAR anticipates a commercial contract for the construction and installation of the plant as part of the planned development at the mining site.
The mining industry represents an attractive market opportunity since commercial blasting agents containing from 70-94% (by weight) ammonium nitrate are extensively used. Leaching of the undetonated portions of the blasting agents often result in elevated levels of ammonia and nitrate levels in mine effluents. Mining companies continue to seek innovative approaches to assist in managing ammonia in waste water.
Ammonia also enters water from municipal waste water treatment facilities, fertilizer runoff, leaching septic tanks, land application of biosolids and raw sewage, and numerous industrial processes. This ammonia water can be detrimental to fish and lead to eutrophication of water bodies. Thus, the AmmEL technology represents a promising avenue to profitability and maximizing shareholder value.
ENPAR is a "Technology Company" applying its patented and proprietary "Electrochemical Technologies" to the treatment of water used in the mining, metal processing, chemical, agricultural, municipal and waste management sectors. The Company's common shares trade on Tier ll of the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ENP".
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause ENPAR Technologies Inc. results to differ materially from expectations. These include risks relating to market fluctuations, property performance and other risks. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.