BQE Water, Hudbay to Deliver Canada’s First SART Plant

Why It Matters

The plant demonstrates a domestic breakthrough in cyanide‑recycling technology, offering cost savings and a smaller ecological footprint for gold mining in Canada and potentially worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• First SART plant built in Canada
• BQE Water leads SART technology commercialization
• Hudbay Snow Lake mill to integrate SART system
• Cyanide recycling cuts gold extraction costs
• Project now in issued‑for‑construction phase

Pulse Analysis

The SART process, pioneered by BQE Water’s director Chris Fleming, addresses a long‑standing challenge in gold mining: the loss of cyanide to base‑metal consumption. By chemically converting spent cyanide into a reusable form, SART not only curtails the need for fresh reagent but also mitigates the toxic tailings that traditionally accompany gold extraction. This technology aligns with tightening environmental regulations and the mining sector’s push toward greener operations, making it a strategic asset for producers seeking both compliance and cost efficiency.

Hudbay Minerals’ decision to embed a SART plant at its Snow Lake operation marks a pivotal moment for Canadian mining. The partnership follows extensive bench‑scale trials and METSIM modelling, confirming that the system can be seamlessly integrated into existing mill workflows. For Hudbay, the anticipated benefits include reduced reagent expenses, lower tailings volumes, and an enhanced sustainability profile that can appeal to investors and local communities. The project’s progression to the issued‑for‑construction stage signals confidence in the technology’s reliability and scalability.

Beyond the immediate partnership, the Canadian SART plant could catalyze broader adoption across North America’s gold sector. BQE Water’s proven track record with major miners such as Glencore and Freeport‑McMoRan positions it to become a go‑to provider for cyanide‑recycling solutions. As environmental scrutiny intensifies, mines that adopt SART may gain competitive advantages, including easier permitting and stronger ESG credentials. The success of this inaugural plant will likely serve as a benchmark, encouraging other operators to evaluate similar retrofits and driving further innovation in water‑treatment technologies.