VANCOUVER, BC – BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc. (TSX:BQE), a leader in the treatment of metal and sulphate wastewater, announced that it has commenced water treatment operations for the 2008 season at its Raglan plant, located in northern Quebec at Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan Mine. In addition, BioteQ has been contracted by Xstrata Nickel to assume operating responsibility for the Spoon water treatment plant, a lime based plant also located at the Raglan Mine, on a fee basis. BioteQ and Xstrata are also exploring fee-based alternatives for future expansion of water treatment services at the Raglan site.
Raglan Operation
This will be the plant’s fourth year of operation at the Raglan Mine site owned by Xstrata Nickel. Xstrata is strongly committed to good environmental management practices, and has chosen to work with BioteQ to apply innovative water treatment technologies which produce clean water to meet stringent water quality criteria. The plant is owned and operated by BioteQ, using the Company’s unique ChemSulphide® process, and is ISO 14001 certified for environmental compliance. Plant operations for 2008 are anticipated to be similar to 2007.
Expanded Scope
BioteQ has been contracted by Xstrata Nickel to assume operating responsibility for the Spoon water treatment plant which was built and commissioned by a third party last year. BioteQ will provide operating staff and consumables on a cost-plus fee basis. The contract is subject to renewal after one year. Concurrently, BioteQ will be investigating the use of a novel ion exchange technology, developed in-house, in conjunction with the existing ChemSulphide® technology, for potential longer term use at the Raglan site to meet future water treatment needs. BioteQ will conduct a pilot study at the site on a fixed fee basis.
BioteQ Corporate Profile
BioteQ builds, owns and operates water treatment plants for the world’s mining companies and utility operators, reducing environmental liabilities while generating revenue from waste. The Company’s commercially proven technology treats acid mine drainage and other metal-laden waste water by sequentially removing metals and sulphate, producing saleable metal products and clean water that can be discharged to the environment. BioteQ is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and trades on the TSX under the symbol BQE. For additional information, go to www.bqewater.com.
****
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Brad Marchant
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.