Platinum Group Metals (PGM) tailings contaminated with hydrocarbons present a significant challenge for mining operations, often making it difficult to reprocess material or comply with environmental standards. Bemical provides a dual-action approach—combining biological remediation with Solidification & Stabilization (S/S) technology—to render these waste streams inert and potentially reusable.

• PGM Tailings: We treat tailings contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, restoring the integrity of the material for reprocessing or safe disposal.
• Cyanide Management: We manage cyanide tailings and contamination through targeted biological agents or S/S technology to ensure zero environmental leakage.
• Heavy Metal Immobilisation: Our S/S process is highly effective for mining by-products containing Lead, Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Cadmium, and Zinc.

When dealing with complex mine waste, choosing the right methodology is critical for both reliability and cost-efficiency.

Our methods are not just theoretical; they are backed by international experts in bacteria and solidification. For example, in harbour and mass site projects involving Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) and heavy metals, we have successfully treated up to 50,000 tonnes of contaminated sediment, creating a workable backfill material that exceeded compressive strength requirements.

At Bemical, our products are not just "green"—they are scientifically superior. Through our research partnership with the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & IT, we continuously validate our methodologies through peer-reviewed trials.

In a comparative study using raw sewage from the Daspoort Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bemical’s Sewage Attack inoculant was tested against standard activated sludge recycling methods.

The research, led by our Chief Science Officer (a 2019 UP "Exceptional Young Researcher Award" winner), yielded significant results in nutrient breakdown speed:

• Phosphate Removal: Our inoculant provided a 1.67 times faster breakdown rate of phosphates compared to traditional methods.
• Nitrogen Removal: The breakdown rate of total nitrogen was 5.9 times faster when using the Bemical solution.
• Consistent Compliance: Data monitoring over several months showed that final Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Suspended Solids (SS) remained consistently within specification, despite high inflow contamination.

While standard industrial strains often struggle to maintain activity in high-contamination environments, Bemical’s proprietary blending ensures rapid biomass growth.

• Enhanced Optical Density: Our custom blends achieve significantly higher optical density (growth) than individual industrial strains.
• Rapid Saturation: SoilBac reaches peak performance levels in record time, which is why we can guarantee total hydrocarbon reduction in soil in under 4 weeks.
• CFU Potency: Our liquid and powder formulations deliver up to 6 Billion CFU/g, providing the massive biological "power" needed to handle contaminants that nature cannot process alone.

Our research is supported by a network of international experts in bacteria, bioremediation, and Solidification & Stabilization (S/S). This global exchange of knowledge allows us to tackle complex waste streams—such as Cyanide tailings or PGM tailings—with methodologies that have been perfected over 50 years of combined product expertise.