GOLD RECOVERY. CLEAN TECHNOLOGY. LASTING IMPACT.

Ecuador: A New Model for Responsible Mining

CULTIVATING PROSPERITY, PROTECTING THE LAND

Bioleaching: a clean alternative to smelting

BacTech’s current efforts are centered in Ecuador, where there is significant opportunity to recover gold and silver while addressing the environmental and social issues related to mining.

Ecuador has become a key area of interest due to the high levels of arsenic in concentrates and tailings produced by small-scale miners. BacTech’s expertise allows us to treat these high-arsenic materials using clean bioleaching, improving metallurgical processing and reducing environmental harm. This offers a safer, more sustainable alternative to current practices of shipping material to Asia at severe pricing discounts, where it is often processed by smelting and/or roasting.

Right Column: Supporting image (map of Ecuador with key regions highlighted, or an on-the-ground community/farming photo).

Isolated Cultures: Ecuador Tailings

OUR IMPACT

At BacTech, we are committed to creating positive, lasting change in the communities where we operate. We recognize that environmental responsibility must go hand in hand with social and economic development, ensuring our projects benefit local people as much as the land itself. As part of this commitment, we will hire local workers, including current employees from the area.

To support this vision, BacTech has launched a shared land management program with local farmers at our proposed 100-acre gold and silver processing plant site in Ecuador. Instead of clearing the land, our approach prioritizes preserving its natural and economic value.

Under this program, cocoa farming will continue across 80% of the site, protecting thousands of untouched trees and maintaining biodiversity. This allows traditional farming practices to thrive alongside our clean bioleaching operations, rather than being displaced by them. Importantly, all proceeds from cocoa sales will go directly to the former employees of the previous owner of the land, ensuring they maintain an ongoing source of income and connection to their land.

By combining sustainable agriculture with environmentally responsible mining, BacTech is building a model of development rooted in shared value. We aim to demonstrate that industrial progress can strengthen local communities while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Pipeline & Updates

BacTech is advancing its bioleaching facility in Tenguel–Ponce Enríquez, Ecuador, to safely process high-arsenic gold concentrates. The 50 tpd plant will recover up to 35,000 oz of gold per year and when expanded it is anticipated that the 250 TPD will produce up to 125,000 Oz of gold and up to 250,000 Oz of silver.

With major permits secured, the company has moved toward financing to deliver sustainable, community-focused mining solutions throu the construction of a bioleach plant in Tenguel.

  • BacTech Environmental is progressing plans to develop an owner-operated bioleaching facility near Tenguel–Ponce Enríquez, Ecuador, a region where gold ore is naturally associated with high levels of arsenic (arsenopyrite). This initiative directly addresses a pressing need for safe, sustainable processing solutions that mitigate the environmental and health impacts of conventional mining practices.

    The planned facility will initially operate at 50 tonnes per day (tpd), processing high-grade concentrates sourced from local miners. At projected feed grades of >1.75 ounces of gold per tonne, the plant is expected to produce approximately 30,000-35,000 ounces of gold annually. Its modular design will allow future capacity expansions without disrupting ongoing production, supporting the region’s estimated 250 tpd concentrate market. BacTech estimates that total gold production after Phase 2 will amount to roughly 125,000 ounces per annum.

    Beyond its technical and economic potential, the project seeks to restore fair compensation to local miners, countering the sharp price reductions imposed by Chinese buyers following import levies on arsenic/gold concentrates.

  • BacTech has advanced the Tenguel project through key regulatory and economic milestones, establishing a solid foundation for development. The planned 50 tpd bioleach plant is projected to produce approximately 30-35,000 ounces of gold annually from high-arsenic concentrates, addressing a portion of the region’s estimated 250 tpd concentrate market.

    Economic projections underscore the project’s strong potential, with a pre-tax NPV (5%) of US$60.7 million, a pre-tax IRR of 57.9%, and expected annual pre-tax earnings of US$10.9 million using a gold price of $1600 per ounce. The estimated capital expenditure is US$17 million with operating costs of US$212 per tonne.

    Major milestones achieved include:

    • Construction permit granted (March 2022)

    • Investment Protection Agreement signed with the Government of Ecuador (April 2022)

    • Environmental permitting report submitted (August 2022)

    • Final ESIA permit approval received (November 2023)

  • With all major approvals in place, BacTech is now focused on securing the financing required to construct the bioleach plant. The company is evaluating all available funding avenues to ensure the project advances under optimal financial conditions and in alignment with its commitment to deliver long-term value to shareholders.

    Upon completion of financing, BacTech will initiate plant construction and commissioning activities. The facility will serve as a sustainable solution for processing high-arsenic gold concentrates locally, reducing environmental risks and enabling equitable compensation for regional miners. This phase marks the transition from planning to execution, positioning the Tenguel project to deliver meaningful economic, social, and environmental benefits to Ecuador.

MINING THE FUTURE RESPONSIBLY—WITH COMMUNITIES, FOR COMMUNITIES

Building Shared Value in Ecuador

Learn More About Our Technology