BQE Water Commences Routine Operation of New Selen-IX(TM) Plant in Record Time at the Wharf Mine

Executive Summary

• BQE Water announced that its new full‑scale Selen‑IX™ plant at Coeur Wharf Mine (South Dakota) has successfully passed performance testing and entered routine operation.
• The plant was implemented in a record 20‑month timeframe from engineering kickoff to on‑spec water discharge.
• Designed capacity is 150–400 gallons per minute, achieving selenium removal to < 5 ppb, meeting regulatory limits without reliance on dilution.

Key Details

• Performance Test: Conducted at minimum, nominal, and maximum flow rates with selenium concentrations spiked to double historical levels; plant met all specifications.
• Capacity & Efficiency: Treats 150–400 gallons of influent water per minute; discharge selenium concentration < 5 ppb.
• Implementation Timeline: 20 months from design‑engineering kickoff to on‑spec water discharge – a record for BQE Water projects.
• Technology Choice: Selen‑IX™ selected over biological reduction systems due to:
• Direct compliance with in‑stream limits (no dilution required)
• Unaffected performance in cold water temperatures
• Ability to operate intermittently and handle rapid flow fluctuations
• Reduced residue management costs
• Long‑Term Support: BQE Water will provide ongoing technical support to ensure continued performance and regulatory compliance.
• Quotes:
• David Kratochvil, President & CEO: “I am very proud of our technical team for delivering yet another Selen‑IX plant safely and in record time…”.
• Jasmine McCauley, Environmental Manager, Coeur Mining: “The selenium removal project is an important part of Coeur's commitment to environmental protection…”.

Notable Quotes

• David Kratochvil: “I am very proud of our technical team for delivering yet another Selen‑IX plant safely and in record time. The project showcases BQE Water's agility and the capability of the patented Selen‑IX technology which enabled the mine site to start discharging clean water into environment in 20 months from the start of engineering.”
• Jasmine McCauley: “The selenium removal project is an important part of Coeur's commitment to environmental protection. We truly appreciate BQE Water's expertise and capabilities to meet our environmental commitments quickly and we look forward to continuing to work with BQE as our technical partner.”