INNOVATION November-December 2021

Top: The ion exchange circuit, part of Selen-IX process technology development. P hoto : BQEW ater Bottom: Ion exchange columns at the Kemess Selen-IX Plant. P hoto : BQEW ater

direction. Everyone on the team had an integral role in making this work.” Eight engineers-in-training also participated in the commissioning of the world’s first Selen-IX facility. The project started at bench scale, working in a lab to develop the technology, which uses a unique process that integrates ion exchange and electroreduction to remove selenate and produce clean water that is safe to be discharged to the environment. After the lab work, the team used pilot plants and completed an industrial demonstration of the selenium electro-reduction process. When the demonstration proved successful, the project moved forward into the construction phase—a massive scale up. “We made our pilot plant in a 40-foot sea container, so it was very small, very compact, said Baker. “Going from that flow rate to the flow rate and size of the Kemess plant, it was staggering to see the difference in scale with industrial equipment being used in this process we started in our beakers 10 years ago.” The environmental impact of this project underscores one of the pressing issues our society faces as we address climate change and pursue a decarbonized economy. “As we move towards a low-carbon future, environmentally responsible

mining is essential to supply the needed metals. Many mine sites

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