BQE Water Inc. (TSXV: BQE) has announced the successful restart and resumed seasonal operation of its patented Selen-IX™ water treatment plant at the Kemess Project in British Columbia, in collaboration with Centerra Gold Inc. The plant, the first ever built using BQE Water's proprietary Selen-IX™ process, had been placed under care and maintenance as Centerra's mine development plans evolved. As of September 14, 2026, official test results confirm selenium concentrations in the plant's effluent are below the detection limit of less than 2 parts per billion, a result investors in mine-water treatment services may view as a significant operational milestone.

Key Points

  • BQE Water Inc. (TSXV: BQE) is a Vancouver-based mine-water treatment specialist
  • The company successfully restarted seasonal operations of the first-ever Selen-IX™ plant at Centerra Gold's Kemess Project in late summer 2026
  • Effluent selenium concentrations confirmed below detection limit of less than 2 parts per billion as of September 14, 2026
  • Investors may watch how the remaining 4-plus years of the original operations term unfolds under the existing services agreement

Selen-IX™ Plant History and Care-and-Maintenance Period at Kemess

The Selen-IX™ plant at Kemess was originally constructed, fully commissioned, and successfully operated for several months in 2020. As Centerra Gold's mine development plans evolved, the owner placed the facility under care and maintenance, and the operation services agreement was amended to allow BQE Water to conduct periodic site visits to maintain the plant as a viable asset. The release states the original agreement, including its 5-year operations term, was not altered during that period, preserving the commercial relationship between both companies.

Commissioning Activities and Confirmed Selenium Removal Results

BQE Water states that commissioning activities began in late summer of 2026, with seasonal operations now underway and expected to continue for the next few months. The key technical milestone disclosed in the announcement is that, as of September 14, 2026, the company received the first official test results confirming selenium concentrations in the plant effluent are below the detection limit of less than 2 parts per billion. The release notes the site is already operating within its permitted limit, with BQE Water's process delivering performance consistent with its original design specifications.

Centerra Gold's Role and Context of the Kemess Restart

According to a quote attributed to Luke Jalsevac, EVP Major Projects at Centerra Gold, the selenium water treatment plant restart forms part of early site activities ahead of a potential Kemess mine restart. Jalsevac's comments, reproduced in the release, describe the initiative as proactive and credit BQE Water's technical expertise for bringing selenium concentrations well below the permitted limit. BQE Water President and CEO David Kratochvil expressed confidence in the process start-up and referenced more than 4 years of anticipated operations remaining at the Kemess site under the existing agreement.