BQE Water
BQE Water provides proprietary water treatment technologies (Selen-IX, BioSulphide, Sulf-IX, SART) and long-term operations services to mining companies worldwide, serving gold, copper, and nickel producers from permitting through mine closure.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BQE Water does
BQE Water Inc. is a publicly traded Canadian mine water treatment technology and services company focused exclusively on the global mining industry. Founded in 2000 (as BioteQ Environmental Inc.) and headquartered in Vancouver, BC, with regional offices in Hangzhou (China) and Santiago (Chile), the company designs, builds, and operates water treatment plants that serve mining clients across the entire project lifecycle — from early advisory and permitting through commissioning, long-term operations, emergency response, and sustainable mine closure. Its customer base spans major mining companies and government entities across North America, Asia, and Latin America, anchored by multi-decade relationships with Glencore's Raglan Mine (21 years) and Jiangxi Copper (19 years).
The company's core offering is built around four proprietary, registered technologies: Selen-IX, which uses ion exchange and electrochemistry to remove selenium from mine-impacted water to ultra-low concentrations below 2 ppb; BioSulphide and ChemSulphide, biological and chemical sulfide processes that recover valuable metals from mine drainage while eliminating toxic sludge; Sulf-IX, a selective ion exchange process for sulfate removal; and SART (Sulfur, Arsenic, and Removal Technology), which recovers and recycles cyanide consumed by base metals in gold leaching. These technologies are complemented by an in-house aquatic toxicology laboratory and a full suite of engineering, permitting, and rapid-deployment emergency response services. BQE's defensibility rests on a portfolio validated by the Kirkpatrick Chemical Engineering Achievement Honor Award (for Selen-IX) and dozens of Canadian and international clean-tech and sustainability awards.
BQE generates revenue primarily through long-term, performance-based operations contracts in which compensation is tied to the volume of clean water meeting regulatory discharge standards — a recurring, subscription-like structure. This is supplemented by engineering and design services, operation support, and emergency response engagements. The company has built an ecosystem of Indigenous community joint ventures and partnerships in Canada (Nuvumiut, Selkirk First Nation, Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Big River Operations) that provide social license and local capacity. In 2025, BQE reported revenue of CAD 35.5 million (107% year-over-year growth) and net income of CAD 8.1 million, operating eight water treatment facilities that treat an average of approximately 11 million cubic meters of water and recover 4,000 tonnes of valuable metals and 1,000 tonnes of sodium cyanide per year.
BQE Water firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BQE Water
- Legal name
- BQE Water Inc.
- Website
- https://bqewater.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- BQE Water provides proprietary water treatment technologies (Selen-IX, BioSulphide, Sulf-IX, SART) and long-term operations services to mining companies worldwide, serving gold, copper, and nickel producers from permitting through mine closure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BQE Water industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mine Water Treatment Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (213), Remediation Services (562910)
- SIC
- Metal Mining (1000), Gold And Silver Ores (1040)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mine Dewatering & Water Management Services (Pumping, Treatment, Tailings Water Return) (IMAKAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tailings & Water Management Engineering (TSF Design/Construction, Dams, Water Treatment) (IMAKAOAF), Mining & Metals Process & Water Chemicals (IMAEAJAJ), Mining & Heavy Metals Remediation (Acid Mine Drainage, tailings-impacted sites) (BPALAKAK), Process Water & Effluent Treatment (Water Recycle, AMD Treatment, Neutralization) (IMAKALAI), Mine Closure, Reclamation & Environmental Services (Precious Metals Sites) (IMAKAEAL)
Keywords
Where BQE Water is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
BQE Water business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Water Treatment Operations Contracts: Long-term operations contracts where BQE is compensated for volume of clean water meeting discharge standards, providing recurring revenue
- Operation Support Services: Technical services for ongoing plant operation support, including performance monitoring and optimization
- Engineering and Design Services: Process engineering, design engineering, and permitting support services
- Emergency Response Services: Rapid deployment water treatment services for unexpected water challenges
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
BQE Water product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BQE Water designs, builds, and operates water treatment plants for the global mining industry, providing end-to-end mine water management solutions from permitting through closure. The company combines proprietary technologies (Selen-IX, BioSulphide/ChemSulphide, Sulf-IX, SART) with operations, engineering, design, aquatic toxicology, and emergency response services, earning recurring revenue by being compensated for the volume of clean water produced that meets regulatory discharge standards.
Product overview
BQE Water offers a unified portfolio of mine water treatment solutions built around four proprietary technologies (Selen-IX for selenium removal, BioSulphide®/ChemSulphide® for metal recovery, Sulf-IX for sulphate removal, and SART for cyanide management) combined with an integrated life-cycle service model. The company delivers end-to-end services spanning early advisory, permitting, plant design and commissioning, operations, and closure — positioning BQE not merely as a technology licensor but as a trusted operator compensated for volume of compliant water produced. This integrated approach is complemented by aquatic toxicity laboratory services for regulatory compliance verification. The result is a single point of accountability for mine water management from permitting through closure, with recurring operations contracts generating predictable revenue.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Selen-IX Ion exchange and electrochemistry-based technology for cost-effective removal of selenium from mine impacted waters to ultra-low concentrations below 2 ppb, for mining operators needing to meet selenium discharge regulations.
- BioSulphide®/ChemSulphide® Metal recovery/removal technology using biological or chemical sulfide processes to treat mine drainage and recover valuable metals as saleable by-products while eliminating toxic sludge waste, for mining operators.
- Sulf-IX Selective ion exchange technology for sulphate removal from mine impacted waters, enabling compliance with strict discharge regulations and water recycle in mining operations.
- SART (Sulfur, Arsenic, and Removal Technology) Process for cyanide recovery and detoxification that enables recovery and recycling of cyanide consumed by base metals in gold leaching, lowering extraction costs while reducing environmental footprint of gold mining.
- Aquatic Toxicity Solutions Aquatic toxicity assessments to evaluate potential environmental impact of contaminants in water, including acute and chronic toxicity testing for regulatory compliance and environmental protection.
- Early Engagement/Advisory Services Early phase consultation covering holistic water assessments, water treatability studies, technology development, permitting support, community engagement, and peer reviews for mining project developers.
- Mine Water Permitting Technical and regulatory support for navigating complex mine water permitting processes, including lab testing, by-product stability assessment, toxicity investigation, pilot testing, and design engineering.
- Clean Water Production End-to-end process design, commissioning, and operational services for mine water treatment plants including lab testing, pilot testing, process engineering, automation, and ongoing optimization.
- Sustainable Closure Closure planning and post-closure site management for long-term water stewardship, ensuring technically robust, economically feasible, and environmentally responsible closure strategies for mining operators and regulators.
- Emergency Response Rapid deployment of water treatment solutions during unexpected water challenges at mine sites, including cross-functional teams for stabilization, compliance restoration, and environmental impact minimization.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20 million m3 of wastewater treated for environmental discharge annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BQE Water
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BQE Water technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
BQE Water partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Canadian Royalties Inc.coreThree-year agreement through Nuvumiut Developments joint venture to operate mine water treatment plants at CRI's Nunavik Nickel Project in Quebec's Nunavik region. Seasonal operation of five treatment systems from May to October.
- Hudbay MineralscoreContract to progress engineering design of first SART plant in Canada to Issued-for-Construction phase, integrated into Hudbay's mill in Snow Lake, Manitoba. Follows six months of bench scale testing and preliminary engineering.
- Aclara ResourcesstrategicRare earth recovery project in South America. BQE is designing water treatment plant to achieve maximum water recycle and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) from heavy rare earth extraction processing facility.
- ERDC (Elsa Reclamation & Development Company)coreContract to operate water treatment systems in 2026. Partnership through Na-Cho Nyäk Dun for Valley Tailings facility cleanup and consolidation of legacy tailings.
- PeñolesstrategicAssessing how targeted water treatment could improve metallurgical performance at Capela operation in Mexico, focusing on reducing zinc deportment into copper and lead products.
- HeclastrategicPartnership through Na-Cho Nyäk Dun for improving water treatment at Keno Hill operation.
- Shandong GoldcoreThird SART plant designed for Shandong Gold, largest gold producer in China. BQE providing five-year operation support services. Plant recovers and recycles cyanide while recovering copper and zinc in high grade metal concentrates.
- KinrossstrategicImproving cyanide destruction circuit performance at Fort Knox mine through field investigation, root cause analysis, and operational optimization support.
- Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development CorporationcorePartnership formed in 2024 covering wide range of services including water management, treatment for discharge, water quality monitoring, environmental effects monitoring, toxicity investigation, and closure planning. Three active projects: Keno Hill improvements, ERDC Valley Tailings facility, and Eagle Gold Mine emergency response.
- Big River OperationscoreFirst Nation-owned business partnered with BQE Water and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun for Eagle Gold Mine operations and other projects.
- Yukon GovernmentcoreWater management partnership at Minto Mine during mine closure under government contract.
- Selkirk First NationcorePartnership formed in 2021 responsible for clean water production at Minto Mine and now treats water during mine closure under contract with Yukon Government. Building on positive interactions from 2009 emergency response project.
- Nuvumiut Development Inc.coreJoint venture company BQE Water-Nuvumiut registered in Salluit, majority owned by Nuvumiut (landholding corporation jointly owned by communities of Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq). Focuses on water treatment services to active mining projects in Nunavik including Raglan and Canadian Royalties. JV currently operates four treatment facilities with BQE managing operations.
- Jiangxi CoppercoreJoint venture formed in 2007 to build and operate water treatment plants using BQE Water technologies at Dexing mine. 19-year operating relationship.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BQE Water competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hatch Ltd: Hatch is a global engineering and project delivery firm with a Mining & Minerals practice that performs mine water management, design, and commissioning work for major mining operators. Directly comparable to BQE as a competing provider of engineering, design, commissioning, and water treatment support to the same mining client base.
- Advisian (Worley Group): Advisian is Worley's specialist consulting arm covering water treatment and environmental services to mining and resources projects worldwide. Comparable to BQE in offering integrated water management advisory, design, and consulting across the mine lifecycle for major mining clients.
- Stantec: Stantec's mining environmental services practice delivers water treatment, mine water management, and remediation solutions for mining clients globally. Directly comparable to BQE as a global environmental consultancy competing on mine water permitting, design, and operations support.
- Tetra Tech: Tetra Tech provides water, environmental, and engineering services with significant mining exposure, including water treatment plant design and site remediation. Comparable to BQE in serving mining operators with end-to-end water and environmental solutions.
- Golder Associates (now WSP): Golder Associates, now part of WSP, is an environmental and engineering consultancy with deep mining-sector water management expertise. Comparable to BQE in providing mine water permitting, design, treatment technology integration, and operational support to mining clients globally.
Broad incumbents
- Veolia Water Technologies: Veolia is one of the largest industrial water treatment technology suppliers and EPC contractors globally, including for the mining sector. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering water treatment technology, design, and operating services across multiple industrial verticals including mining.
- Metso Corporation: Metso (formerly Metso Outotec) supplies processing equipment and water management solutions for mining and metals processing. Comparable as a broad mining-process incumbent offering overlapping capabilities in tailings, water, and process water treatment in mining and metallurgical processing.
- Andritz Group: Andritz supplies process equipment and water/wastewater treatment solutions to industrial markets including mining. Comparable as a broad industrial equipment and process technology incumbent with mining water applications overlapping with BQE's metallurgical process water focus.
Regional players
- Andritz Separation (formerly ANDRITZ Gouda) / Sülzle Group: Sülzle offers specialty water treatment chemicals and process solutions to mining operators in Europe and adjacent markets. Comparable as a mid-sized provider of process chemicals and water treatment services for mining with overlapping technical capabilities.
Emerging players
- Clean TeQ Water: Clean TeQ Water focuses on specialty water treatment technologies including ion exchange and mine water demineralization, with a heritage in metals and mining. Comparable as an emerging specialist technology provider applying proprietary processes to mining water treatment in direct competition with BQE's Selen-IX/Sulf-IX.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BQE Water social profiles
Digital presenceBQE Water financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BQE Water leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
BQE Water subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
BQE Water funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BQE Water M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BQE Water
What does BQE Water do?
BQE Water designs, builds, and operates water treatment plants for the global mining industry, providing end-to-end mine water management solutions from permitting through closure. The company combines proprietary technologies (Selen-IX, BioSulphide/ChemSulphide, Sulf-IX, SART) with operations, engineering, design, aquatic toxicology, and emergency response services, earning recurring revenue by being compensated for the volume of clean water produced that meets regulatory discharge standards.
Is BQE Water a public or private company?
BQE Water is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was BQE Water founded?
BQE Water was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is BQE Water based?
BQE Water is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does BQE Water make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Water Treatment Operations Contracts are the primary driver. The others are operation Support Services, engineering and Design Services and emergency Response Services.
Who are BQE Water's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hatch Ltd, Advisian (Worley Group), Stantec, Tetra Tech and Golder Associates (now WSP). Broad incumbents are Veolia Water Technologies, Metso Corporation and Andritz Group. Andritz Separation (formerly ANDRITZ Gouda) / Sülzle Group is listed as a regional player. Clean TeQ Water is listed as an emerging player.
Does BQE Water have an API?
No public API is recorded for BQE Water.
What industry is BQE Water in?
BQE Water's product category is Mine Water Treatment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAKAI, Mine Dewatering & Water Management Services (Pumping, Treatment, Tailings Water Return), with a secondary code of IMAKAOAF, Tailings & Water Management Engineering (TSF Design/Construction, Dams, Water Treatment). Its NAICS code is 213114 and its SIC code is 1000.