BacTech launches Peru initiative for reprocessing mine tailings

September 3, 2026, BacTech Environmental Corporation, a leader in commercial bioleaching, has announced the launch of its Peru initiative aimed at reprocessing historic mine tailings using bioleaching techniques. The company has established a wholly owned subsidiary, BacTech Verde Peru S.A.C., to conduct a review of the government’s inventory of tailings and identify potential reprocessing opportunities.

Many of the tailings in question were inherited by the state through the bankruptcy of the entities that produced them, with a significant portion containing elevated levels of arsenic. The metals of interest include gold, silver, and copper. BacTech has not yet entered into any agreements or secured access to specific projects, and there is no assurance that such arrangements will be made.

BacTech’s proprietary BACOX® bioleaching process, which has been used at four commercial plants built under license by the company, could be applied to the reprocessing of these tailings. The company is also developing its patent-pending Zero Tailings™ technology, which could potentially recover precious and base metals and produce marketable by-products such as magnetite, an ammonium sulphate fertilizer, and silica. However, Zero Tailings has not yet been commercially proven.

BacTech aims to help establish a domestic processing option for high-arsenic material in Peru, which would retain the value within the country. The initial stage of the initiative involves a review of the government’s inventory of tailings in need of remediation. If suitable targets are identified, BacTech would seek to engage relevant authorities regarding a possible commercial arrangement that could include a royalty payable to the government or local communities.

Neil Tito Acosta Mariños, based in Trujillo, northern Peru, has been appointed as the company’s country manager. Acosta brings extensive experience in the field.

The Peru initiative is at an early and exploratory stage and is subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These include the possibility that suitable tailings projects may not be identified or accessed, the need to obtain necessary governmental, regulatory, and community approvals, and the potential failure of test work to demonstrate acceptable technical or economic results. Investors are advised not to rely excessively on the potential of the initiative.

BacTech Environmental Corporation, headquartered in Canada, is a pioneer in bioleaching technology and is advancing a fully permitted 50-tonne-per-day bioleach facility in Tenguel, Ponce Enríquez, Ecuador. The company is also developing its proprietary Zero Tailings™ critical minerals recovery technology in Sudbury, Canada.

BacTech trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: BAC), the OTCQB (OTCQB: BCCEF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 0BT1).

President and CEO Ross Orr, who is responsible for the contents of this news release, stated, "We are excited to extend our bioleaching expertise to Peru, where we hope to contribute to sustainable mining practices and economic development."

The company cautions that forward-looking statements in the release, including those related to the potential outcomes of the Peru initiative, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.