What contract did Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) win at the Rasp Mine?

Clean TeQ Water has been awarded a design and construct contract by Broken Hill Operations (a subsidiary of Broken Hill Mines, ASX:BHM) for an ATA tailings dewatering plant.

Why is this contract significant for the Rasp Mine and Broken Hill Mines (ASX:BHM)?

The new plant enables the Rasp Mine to move away from solar drying, which is a high-cost, weather-dependent process that previously capped processing throughput at 500,000 tonnes per annum.

What is the proprietary ATA technology used by Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ)?

ATA is a rapid dewatering technology that uses a proprietary dual polymer system to turn mine tailings into a stable, stackable "filter cake." It works by anchoring fine particles to coarse particles via hydrocyclones and specific polymers, creating a sand-like material that releases water more easily.

How does this deal impact Clean TeQ Water’s (ASX:CNQ) revenue model?

The deal provides immediate "lumpy" revenue through the design and construction phase of the dewatering plant. However, the investment thesis strengthens with a proposed long-term polymer supply agreement and technology license expected to be signed within 14 days.

What are the key execution risks for the Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) contract?

The primary near-term risk is the conditionality of the contract; if the long-term polymer supply agreement is not signed within 14 days, either party can terminate the construction deal.

Is this news a "bull case" for Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) shareholders?

The bull case rests on the commercial validation of the ATA technology at a major operating mine after two years of piloting. Success here could serve as a global "proof of concept" for other miners looking to avoid the high costs and environmental risks of wet tailings dams.

Why is "filtered tailings stacking" becoming a trend in the mining sector?

Traditional wet tailings storage facilities (dams) are becoming increasingly difficult to permit, insure, and finance due to heightened regulatory and environmental scrutiny.

Clean TeQ Water secures Rasp Mine dewatering contract

Written by Mahathir BayenaPublished May. 15 2026Last Updated May. 15 2026

Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) has been awarded a comprehensive design and construct contract for a new tailings dewatering plant at the Rasp Mine.

Commissioned by Broken Hill Operations, a subsidiary of Broken Hill Mines (ASX:BHM), the project marks a transition from traditional solar drying to advanced, stackable tailings management.

The facility is engineered to handle a throughput of 750,000 tonnes per annum of dry solids, aligning with the mine’s broader strategy to reach its full nameplate production capacity for silver, lead, and zinc.

Central to the agreement is Clean TeQ’s proprietary ATA technology, a rapid dewatering system that utilises a dual polymer process to create high-solids filter cake.

By anchoring fine particles to coarse fractions, the system produces a sand-like material that reduces residual moisture and reagent consumption.

The approach allows for in-pit filtered tailings stacking, bypassing the prohibitive capital and operating expenses typically associated with high-pressure filtration.

CEO Peter Voigt noted that the collaboration follows two years of rigorous testing and piloting.

Beyond the immediate construction revenue, the companies are currently finalising a long-term polymer supply agreement and technology licence, expected within 14 days.

At the time of reporting, Clean TeQ Water’s share price was $0.44.