Bactech Environmental Corp. Reports Positive Bioleach Test Results

TORONTO, CANADA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/20/12 -- BacTech Environmental Corporation ("BacTech" or the "Company") (CNSX: BAC)(WKN: A1H4TY) today announced the results of its bioleach test work on concentrates from the Snow Lake arsenic/gold residue stockpile that is a refractory material containing high levels of arsenic (16%).

The Company is pleased to report that the patented BACOX bio-oxidation process oxidizes over 95% of the sulphides. This eliminates future acid mine drainage environmental problems associated with the stockpile, that are one of the key drivers of the project.

In addition, the bio-oxidation process renders 88.6% of gold contained in the sulphides available for extraction, compared to only 9.4% using conventional gold extraction without oxidation. A high weight loss of 45.7% was obtained during oxidation resulting in the gold grade almost doubling to 17.8 g/t from the original 9.80g/t, but still maintaining the same amount of gold in the plant feed. This mass reduction reduces considerably the size and cost of equipment required in final gold extraction processing. The reagent consumptions noted in the test work for gold extraction were also modest and comparable to those associated with current bio-oxidation plants used in the gold mining industry.

The bioleach work is an integral part of the ongoing Economic Study currently underway with Micon International. The study is expected to be completed in April. In addition, BacTech has hired Golder Associates Ltd. who is in the process of completing the Environmental Impact Statement required for an Environment Act License.

"These are very good numbers considering the difficult nature of the ore. Virtually eliminating the release of acid is very important from a reclamation point of view, as is the high recovery of the contained gold. Historically, we have found that we should be able to obtain higher recoveries in a commercial operation compared to the laboratory where optimization of parameters is easier on a continuous basis and the bacteria used in the process adapt over time to the type of feedstock", said Ross Orr, President and CEO of BacTech. "This result clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of BacTech Technology for these types of environmental remediation"

This news release has been reviewed by David Salari, P.Eng., the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. All bioleach and assay work was conducted by Inspectorate Exploration and Mining Services.


BacTech profile

BacTech Environmental holds the exclusive, royalty-free rights to use the patented BACOX bioleaching technology for the reclamation of tailings and mining waste materials. On December 13, 2011, BacTech signed a contract with the Mines Branch of the Manitoba Department of Innovation, Energy and Mines, to remediate an arsenopyrite gold stockpile situated at the Snow Lake Mine in Snow Lake, Manitoba. This is the Company's first project since the Plan of Arrangement was completed on December 2, 2010.

Shares outstanding 39,088,361


The Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.



Contacts:

BacTech Environmental Corporation
Ross Orr
President & CEO
416-813-0303 ext 222
info@bactechgreen.com

BacTech Environmental Corporation
Bill Mitoulas
Investor Relations
416-479-9547
billm@bactechgreen.com
www.bactechgreen.com