Clean TeQ Water boosted its cash position and operational momentum in Q3 FY26, winning a A$10.4 million DESALX execution contract at Nyrstar Belgium, completing a uranium plant at Heathgate Resources, and advancing lithium and phosphate projects internationally.
- A$10.4 million DESALX Phase 2 contract awarded by Nyrstar
- Practical completion of CLEAN-IX U-Column uranium plant
- PHOSPHIX phosphate removal plant commissioning underway in Ireland
- Progress on Rio Tinto Rincon Lithium and Sunrise Syerston Scandium projects
- Positive net operating cash flow of A$1.1 million, cash at A$6.8 million
Nyrstar Contract Marks Major Industrial Wastewater Win
Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) secured a A$10.4 million Phase 2 execution contract to deliver a full-scale DESALX® wastewater treatment system at Nyrstar's Balen operations in Belgium. This contract, progressing from detailed engineering into delivery, positions the company’s Moving Bed Ion Exchange (MBIX) technology as a key solution for heavy industry wastewater challenges, specifically targeting sulphate and selenium removal. Equipment deliveries are scheduled through 2026 and early 2027, underscoring a multi-year engagement with one of the world’s largest zinc producers.
Uranium and Phosphate Projects Reach Critical Milestones
At Heathgate Resources’ Beverley uranium facility in South Australia, Clean TeQ achieved practical completion of its CLEAN-IX® U-Column system, with all key performance criteria met or exceeded. This operational milestone validates the technology’s commercial readiness and supports its broader adoption in uranium and critical minerals sectors both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, commissioning is underway at the €7 million PHOSPHIX® phosphate removal plant for ENVA in Ireland, where the system is achieving phosphate concentrations below 1 mg/L while maintaining nearly 99% water recovery, meeting stringent EU discharge regulations. These developments reinforce Clean TeQ’s footprint in advanced water treatment under tightening environmental standards.
Advancing Critical Minerals Engineering and Pilot Programs
Engineering progressed on the US$12.5 million Rio Tinto Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina, with major equipment procurement now underway. The project leverages MBIX technology to remove hardness from lithium concentrate streams, enhancing downstream refining efficiency. This contract builds on Clean TeQ’s earlier Rio Tinto engagement, reflecting sustained momentum in lithium processing innovation. Concurrently, Clean TeQ was awarded a FEED contract for a standalone ATA® tailings dewatering plant by an undisclosed mining client, marking a significant step towards commercial-scale deployment of this proprietary technology aimed at improving mine closure outcomes through filtered tailings.
Further engagement with Sunrise Energy Metals continued via an engineering contract to refine the Syerston Scandium Project’s MBIX ion exchange circuit and downstream refinery design, supporting investment readiness ahead of a Final Investment Decision. The company’s Go2Lithium joint venture also reported successful lithium recovery KPIs from its cDLE® pilot plant operating on Middle Eastern brines, advancing commercial discussions for full-scale deployment. These initiatives demonstrate Clean TeQ’s expanding role across critical minerals including lithium, scandium, and uranium, with technology applications tailored to resource recovery and water efficiency challenges.
Financial Strength and Digital Innovation
Clean TeQ Water reported a 16% increase in receipts from customers to A$4.4 million for the quarter, contributing to positive net operating cash flow of A$1.1 million and lifting cash reserves to A$6.8 million. Operating costs declined from the prior quarter, reflecting the transition of projects from procurement to commissioning phases. The company is also advancing its digitisation program, aiming to integrate AI-driven process optimisation and digital twins to enhance design accuracy, reduce commissioning risks, and enable remote performance monitoring. This strategic shift towards digital and annuity-based business models signals an evolution in Clean TeQ’s approach to sustainable growth and technology commercialisation.
These developments build on Clean TeQ’s earlier contract wins and capital raises, including the significant Rio Tinto Rincon Lithium Project contract and the Syerston Scandium engineering contract, reinforcing the company’s trajectory in critical minerals and water treatment sectors.
Bottom Line?
Clean TeQ Water’s Q3 momentum sets the stage for further contract execution and commercial scaling across water and critical minerals markets in FY27.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Clean TeQ manage project delivery timelines amid a busy execution pipeline?
- What are the prospects for scaling the ATA® tailings dewatering technology commercially in Australia?
- Can the digitisation initiative materially improve operational efficiencies and customer support?