Latest news with #watermanagement
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
FAO signs $33mln agreement to enhance treated wastewater use in southern Jordan
AMMAN — As part of national efforts to transform water use and management, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) has signed an agreement with Consolidated Consultants for Engineering and Environment to provide consultancy services for the design and supervision of treated wastewater storage ponds. The agreement, signed at the FAO office in Amman, falls under the 'Building Resilience to Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector' (BRCCJ) project. The project aims to reduce the environmental impact of reclaimed water while enhancing climate resilience and water security in the agricultural sector, according to a statement by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The new partnership will support the regulation and expansion of treated wastewater usage from three wastewater treatment plants in Madaba, Mutah and Tafileh, by improving irrigation infrastructure and preparing tender documents for the construction of dedicated storage ponds to help farming communities cope with the dual pressures of water scarcity and climate change. The BRCCJ project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by FAO in cooperation with the ministries of water and irrigation, agriculture, environment, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is also part of the Economic Modernisation Vision Executive Programme, which aims to build sustainable and climate-resilient development pathways across the Kingdom, according to the statement. During the signing ceremony, FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said, 'This agreement marks a critical step under Component 1 of the BRCCJ project, which focuses on building climate-resilient water systems to enhance water security.' He added, 'Water scarcity is one of Jordan's most pressing challenges, and climate change is exacerbating the situation. This project supports Jordan's Green Growth Plan and water strategies by promoting efficient and safe reuse of treated wastewater in line with Jordanian Standard No. 893:2021.' Assaf also noted that once the project is completed, additional volumes of treated water would be made available to farmers during the high-demand summer months. 'Maximising the reuse of treated water is essential to preserving Jordan's limited water resources and raising awareness of the water crisis,' he said. Hanan Awad, representing Consolidated Consultants, expressed appreciation to FAO for the opportunity to contribute to national water sustainability efforts. 'We are committed to delivering this project to the highest standards and to making a meaningful contribution to sustainable water management in Jordan,' she said. 'We look forward to playing a role in enhancing the use of treated wastewater as a reliable water source in line with national and international efforts to combat water scarcity and strengthen community resilience to climate change.' Valued at $33.25 million, the BRCCJ project targets four governorates within the Dead Sea Basin—Madaba, Karak, Tafileh, and Maan—which are particularly vulnerable to climate-related water stress. JT
Travel Daily News
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
FITURNEXT: How tourism can contribute to responsible water management
FITURNEXT 2026 invites tourism initiatives promoting responsible water use, awarding impactful, replicable projects that support sustainable industry practices globally. MADRID – FITUR is looking for good tourism practices for the seventh edition of the FITURNEXT Observatory, the initiative to promote sustainable and regenerative tourism. The 2026 Challenge is framed around how tourism can contribute to efficient and responsible water management, aligned with various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that aim to promote the right to clean and healthy water, health and wellbeing, climate action and responsible production and consumption. Any initiative that promotes a balance between water management and tourism and water sustainability can sign up until 31 August. The selected projects, following the criteria of a replicability barometer and an impact barometer, will be awarded during the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in January 2026. F acts and the importance of efficient water management in tourism In many countries, water pollution is a challenge for human and environmental health. According to UN data, today more than one billion people still lack access to safe drinking water and only 0.5% of the world's water is usable and accessible freshwater. The global urban population facing water scarcity is expected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1700-2400 million people in 2050, leading to an imminent risk of aglobal water crisis. Likewise, water consumption is much higher in tourist areas: an average resident consumes 127 litres per day, while a tourist consumes between 450 and 800 litres per day. To address this situation, FITURNEXT is focusing its next edition on researching tourism initiatives that contribute to responsible water consumption and reduce water stress. The three categories for awarding initiatives The call is open to any company, public administration, organisation or project that promotes sustainable water use in the tourism sector and seeks to make visible and inspire other destinations that want to improve their relationship with water resources with their replicable models. Initiatives can be entered in three categories: Destinations and other territories: Aimed at public administrations and territorial bodies to implement innovative strategies in the sustainable management of the water cycle. HORECA and transport sector: Aimed at accommodation, catering and transport companies that apply solutions to optimise the use of water in their tourism services. Other agents in the tourism value chain: For travel agencies, operators, tourism experience companies and other entities with tools or initiatives that promote the responsible use of water in the industry. Thus, initiatives that fit into one of these categories have the opportunity to form part of the FITURNEXT Observatory and be recognised as one of the sector's best practices. The winning and finalist projects will participate in the activities that will take place at the FITUR 2026 stand and in subsequent actions, benefiting from the visibility provided by being part of the FITURNEXT community, thanks to its impact on the media and the different synergies generated among its participants.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
BQE Water Reports Q1 2025 Results
VANCOUVER, BC , May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - BQE Water Inc. (TSXV: BQE), a leader in the treatment and management of mine impacted waters, is pleased to release its interim consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 . "In Q1 2025, we substantially grew our technical services revenues over the same period last year. We provided temporary water treatment operations for the emergency response at Eagle Gold Mine and we advanced several projects into the plant design and construction phase," said David Kratochvil , President & CEO of BQE Water. "We expect strong results over the next two quarters as we continue to make progress and complete these large projects, with potential for generating new recurring revenue from these projects." FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Record revenues under GAAP and Proportional Revenues of $7.4 million and $7.9 million in Q1 2025 respectively, compared $2.5 million and $3.4 million in Q1 2024. Historical high in technical services revenue for a 3-month period of $5.5 million in Q1 2025 compared to $719,000 in Q1 2024. Gross margin of $3.2 million in Q1 2025 compared to $1.1 million in Q1 2024, a $2.1 million increase. Net income of $1.7 million in Q1 2025 compared to a loss of $486,000 in Q1 2024. Earnings per share of $1.34 in Q1 2025 compared to a loss per share of $0.39 in Q1 2024. Adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 million in Q1 2025 compared to a loss of $121,000 in Q1 2024. Working capital of $14.4 million at March 31, 2025 , compared to $12.6 million at December 31, 2024 , a 14% increase. Selected financial results are as follows: (in '000s) 3 months ended Mar. 31 2025 2024 Revenue from operational services 1,962 1,789 Revenue from technical services 5,484 719 Revenue from joint ventures in China 502 902 Proportional Revenues 7,948 3,410 OPERATIONAL SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS Our operational services consist of the operation or technical supervision of water treatment plants, which generate recurring revenues from three main sources: sales of recovered metals, water treatment fees and operations support fees. The Company's operations by source of revenue are as follows: Operations Location Revenue Source JCC-BQE Joint Venture Jiangxi province, China Sales of recovered metals MWT-BQE Joint Venture Shandong province, China Sales of recovered metals Raglan Mine for Glencore Northern Québec, Canada Water treatment fees Zhongkuang Metallurgical Facilities for MWT Shandong province, China Operations support fees Zhaojin Metallurgical Facilities for MWT Shandong province, China Operations support fees Power utility ash pond for WesTech Eastern USA Water treatment fees Base metal project for a metal producer Southwestern USA Water treatment fees JCC-BQE Joint Venture Operations Our 50/50 joint venture with partner Jiangxi Copper Company ("JCC") operates three water treatment plants at Dexing Mine and at Yinshan Mine in Jiangxi province of China . The volume of water treated, and metals recovered by the plants fluctuate seasonally depending on precipitation levels in the region. The operating results for Q1 2025 are as follows: (in '000s) 3 months ended Mar. 31 2025 2024 Water treated (cubic metres) 1,915 4,203 Copper recovered (pounds) 148 380 Zinc recovered (pounds) 177 - In Q1 2025, all three plants met mechanical availability and process performance set by the Company. The volume of water treated decreased by 55% and the mass of copper recovered decreased by 61% when compared to Q1 2024. Starting Q2 2024, the Yinshan Mine began to consistently recover zinc. Such changes in water volume and metal grade in feed water from period to period are largely the result of environmental conditions beyond the control of the joint venture. MWT-BQE Joint Venture Operations Our 20% share of MWT-BQE is with our 80% partner Beijing MWT Water Treatment Project Limited Company ("MWT") and together we operate a water treatment plant at a smelter in Shandong province of China . MWT-BQE generates revenues from the sale of zinc and copper recovered from smelter wastewater. Operating results for Q1 2025 are as follows: (in '000s) 3 months ended Mar. 31 2025 2024 Zinc recovered (pounds) 13 31 Copper recovered (pounds) 63 5 The smelter periodically operated its production lines with ores from different sources which led to varying concentrations of zinc and copper in the feed and a fluctuation in the volume of wastewater treated by the plant. The joint venture has no control over the composition and volume of feed that flows into the plant. In Q1 2025, the plant continued to operate intermittently to reduce costs, as the value of zinc and copper in the feed was lower than the recovery cost of the metals. BQE Water Operations The number of operating days contributing to water treatment or support fees for three months ended March 31, 2025 are as follows: (in days) 3 months ended Mar. 31 2025 2024 Raglan Mine water treatment plants - - Zhongkuang SART plant 90 91 Zhaojin SART plant 85 91 Water treatment plant in Eastern USA 64 67 Water treatment plant in Southwest USA 90 91 The volume of water treated by geographic location for the three months ended March 31, 2025 are as follows: (in '000s cubic metres) 3 months ended Mar. 31 2025 2024 Raglan Mine water treatment plants - - SART plants in China 109 136 Water treatment plants in USA 749 201 The Company, with our Inuit partner Nuvumiut Development, operates four water treatment plants at Raglan Mine for Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore"). In the first quarter, the plants at Raglan Mine were shut down as water stored in the outdoor reservoirs was frozen. Consequently, no water was treated and no revenue was generated in Q1 2025 from the Raglan Mine plants. We expect to begin water treatment in June 2025 . In 2021, we began operations of the Zhongkuang SART plant and the Zhaojin SART plant at metallurgical facilities in China . Both plants have been under our technical supervision since the start of full production. Both SART plants operated fully throughout Q1 2025 without disruption. In 2022, we began operations of a treatment plant utilizing our Selen-IX™ process to remove selenium from ash pond water for WesTech Engineering ("WesTech"). In Q1 2025, our team continued at site providing water treatment services with the Selen-IX™ circuit to manage the presence of selenium in the feed. In January 2022 , we completed the commissioning of a treatment plant utilizing a combination of nanofiltration and our proprietary selenium electro-reduction process for the simultaneous removal of selenium and sulphate from mine water for a base metal project in the American Southwest. In August 2023 , our team completed the performance test milestone for a 2nd newly constructed selenium removal water treatment plant which entered the operation phase. In Q1 2025, we continued to provide water treatment operation services for two water treatment plants in the American Southwest. TECHNICAL SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS BQE Water's technical expertise and IP are applicable globally across broad areas of water management. Highlights of some of our technical services and technical innovation projects during Q1 2025 are summarized below. Trusted Advisory Services (Water Management and Water Studies) Initiated the construction of a water treatment facility to support the clean-up of legacy tailings site in the Yukon . Continued to provide ongoing advisory and water treatment services in response to the environmental emergency caused by a heap leach failure at the Eagle Gold Mine in the Yukon . Continued plant operations support and engineering services to an actively producing mine requiring improvements to their existing treatment in the Yukon. Continued with engineering services for the design, procurement, and construction of another selenium removal plant using BQE's Selen-IX™ to meet end-of-pipe limit of less than 2 parts per billion at a gold mine in Central US. Continued assisting an integrated lead smelter-recycling facility in Eastern Canada with completing upgrades to existing treatment system and implementation of new sulphate removal stage to a discharge limit less than 1,500 mg/L and initiated operations support for the newly upgraded facility. Continued selenium stability test program simulating conditions in semi-passive treatment systems to support holistic risk assessment of selenium treatment options for a client based in BC. Cyanide Management (Destruction and Recycle) Implemented cyanide destruction to meet 25 ppb residual cyanide at the end-of-pipe at the Eagle Gold Mine in the Yukon . Continued to provide plant engineering design services to a US project requiring the end-of-pipe cyanide level below 8 ppb. Continued to provide engineering services for Shandong Gold to support the construction of the third SART plant in China . COMMENTARY AND OUTLOOK We are pleased to report our best ever first quarter results in Q1 2025, setting records for GAAP revenue, Proportional Revenue, net income, and Adjusted EBITDA. Highlights of the results are summarized as follows: Recurring revenue from water treatment operations was marginally higher than in Q1 2024 as no new operations were added to the existing portfolio of operating plants. Non-recurring revenue from technical services increased substantially compared to Q1 2024 due to several large projects in various phases of plant design, construction, and temporary operations, including but not limited to: Design and construction of the Valley Tailings plant in the Yukon ; Advisory and water treatment services for temporary emergency response treatment at Eagle Gold Mine; Detailed design of a sulphate removal plant that will subsequently go into construction in BC; and Detailed design of cyanide removal plant in the US. Recurring revenue from our China joint venture fell when compared to Q1 2024 due to a lower quantity of recovered metals caused primarily by a decline in the volume of water treated. In Q1 2025, the Company renewed two operating contracts in the US that were expiring in the next four to twelve months. Although the scope of our operating services under the renewal was reduced, the term was extended for five years with an extension option for an additional two years. With respect to our outlook for the remainder of 2025, we continue to have good visibility and certainty over existing operations contracts and certain large technical services contracts. As such, we expect strong results over the next two quarters based on the following: Commissioning of a third SART plant in China followed by the start of new recurring operations services; Commissioning of the fourth Selen-IX™ plant in the US followed by the start of ongoing operations support services; Pilot demonstration of Selen-IX™ at a mine in the US; Construction and commissioning of the Valley Tailings treatment plant; and Several feasibility, pre-feasibility, and pilot demonstration projects in Chile and Brazil . The anticipated strength in our technical services revenue is expected to mitigate the Company's exposure to geopolitical risks associated with China . In addition, the increase in our technical services revenue is expected to more than offset the reduction in operations revenue due to the two US contract renewals. Looking ahead, some of the large projects listed above have the potential to start generating new recurring revenue upon completion. We are navigating uncertain times that present both new risks and new opportunities. Short and long-term headwinds for our business include a global recession, weak inflows of capital into the mining sector, and geopolitical risks related to China . We remain focused on fiscal prudence, while continuing to actively explore opportunities to accelerate our growth. Our strong balance sheet positions us well on both fronts. SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION For a complete set of Financial Statements and MD&A, please go to (in $'000 except for per share amounts) 3 months ended Mar. 31 2025 2024 $ $ Revenues 7,446 2,508 Operating expenses (excluding depreciation) (4,240) (1,403) Gross margin 3,206 1,105 Share of income from joint ventures 61 332 General and administration (766) (700) Sales and development (676) (924) Share-based payments (83) (273) Depreciation and amortization (127) (101) Income (loss) from operations and joint ventures 1,615 (561) Other income, net 108 87 Income tax recovery (expense) 3 (12) Net income (loss) for the period 1,726 (486) Income (loss) per share (basic) 1.34 (0.39) Income (loss) per share (diluted) 1.33 (0.38) Proportional Revenues (Non-GAAP measures) 7,948 3,410 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP measures) 1,877 (121) Comprehensive income (loss) 1,735 (443) at Mar. 31 at Dec. 31 2025 2024 $ $ Cash and cash equivalents 11,091 11,771 Working capital 14,357 12,593 Total assets 28,883 27,093 Total non-current liabilities 1,973 1,842 Shareholders' equity 22,430 20,529 About BQE Water BQE Water is a service provider specializing in water treatment and management for metals mining, smelting and refining. We are helping to transform the way the industry thinks about water in the context of natural resource projects by offering services and expertise which enables more sustainable water management practices and improved overall project performance at reduced risks. BQE Water invests in innovation and has developed unique intellectual property through the commercialization of several new technologies at mine sites around the world for organizations including Glencore, Jiangxi Copper, Freeport-McMoRan and the US EPA. BQE Water is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BQE. Visit for more information. The Toronto Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain information contained herein may not be based on historical fact and therefore constitutes "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. This includes without limitation statements containing the words "plan", "expect", "project", "estimate", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "may", "will" and other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's dependence on key personnel and contracts, uncertainty with respect to the profitability of the Company's technologies, competition, technology risk, the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property and proprietary information, fluctuations in commodity prices, currency risk, environmental regulation and the Company's ability to manage growth and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators at (including without limitation the factors described in the section entitled "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 ). Given these risks and uncertainties, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking information contained herein is based on management's current expectations and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking information to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah water dept advises UMS to enhance its water pumping system
The Sabah chapter of the National Consumer Foundation Malaysia previously expressed concern over the water supply disruptions at Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Kota Kinabalu. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The Sabah water department has urged Universiti Malaysia Sabah to enhance its water pumping system following prolonged water supply disruptions on campus. The department's director, Chee Chun Chieh, said the R13 tank located on campus is able to supply more than the five million litres a day needed by the university. 'If the current pumps are no longer able to meet demand, UMS should replace them with higher-capacity or more efficient units to fulfil its water needs,' he said in a statement. Earlier today, FMT reported that a federal deputy minister had blamed the prolonged water disruptions at UMS on the existing tube well, which he says can only supply one million litres of water daily. Deputy higher education minister Mustapha Sakmud said the campus needs five million litres a day. He said he had asked chief minister Hajiji Noor to order the Sabah water department to ensure that water supply to the campus remains uninterrupted. Mustapha said the state government is expediting the construction of a pipe from the water treatment plant in Telibong to meet the demands of the increasing number of consumers. He said the pipe should be a long-term solution to UMS's water woes. However, he said, the construction of the pipe is progressing slowly due to the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway. The Sabah chapter of the National Consumer Foundation Malaysia had previously expressed concern over the water supply disruptions at UMS, saying it reflected poorly on the state's ability to provide basic utilities to vital institutions.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait officially joins Global Water Organization
RIYADH - Kuwait joined on Wednesday the newly-established Global Water Organization as a founding member. Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem signed the Charter to join the GWO in Riyadh. This was part of a ceremony inaugurated by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Other notable signatories of the charter included a minister from Pakistan, as well as representatives from Senegal, Mauritania, and Qatar, along with international officials such as the Spanish Consul General and the Greek Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. In his opening remarks, Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to the Global Water Organization, underscoring its role in tackling global water challenges and the Kingdom's financial support over the next five years. He urged UN member states and the private sector to collaborate on sustainable water management solutions. Saudi Minister of Environment Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli emphasized the shared responsibility for water conservation and its crucial role in economic development. He stressed the importance of integrated water management and innovative financing to address issues such as water scarcity and climate change. He noted that the establishment of the GWO is a significant step in addressing global water issues. All KUNA right are reserved © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
