David Kratochvil, PhD,P.Eng

In the mining industry, notoriously reticent to embracing disruptive innovation even if it means that opportunities for improving environmental performance are missed, David is a diamond in the rough. He and his team at BQE Water have been providing innovative wastewater treatment solutions for decades. The latest innovation is BQE’s Selen-IX technology which offers mining and industrial clients a sustainable, zero-waste solution for selenium – a contaminant of concern in wastewater at mines across the commodity spectrum. The impact of BQE’s work is significant: the company now discharges over 20 million cubic meters of purified water annually and recovers 4,000 tons of metals and 1,000 tons of valuable reagents from wastewater for recycling, cutting both environmental impact and operational costs. David’s commitment also extends to social responsibility, building partnerships with First Nations communities to ensure that water treatment respects environmental and cultural values.