Atalaya studies expansion at Spain copper mine
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A study is under way to determine the feasibility of significantly expanding the mining and processing capacity at the Proyecto Riotinto mine, in Spain.
Aim- and TSX-listed Atalaya Mining is considering expanding the mine’s capacity from 9.5-million tonnes to 15-million tonnes a year, which will raise copper output to between 50 000 t/y and 55 000 t/y.
The mine, which achieved its 9.5-million-tonne-a-year nameplate capacity in December, is currently expected to produce between 34 000 t and 40 000 t this year.
Atalaya, which announced the expansion study on Friday, said the plan was to revisit the geological modelling and resource and reserve estimates, with the aim of maintaining the operation’s mine life in the 12- to 14-year range.
The study would reassess mine planning and the existing mining fleet. It would also asses the potential for maximising processing capacity, including complementing it with additional crushing and milling equipment. Flotation and concentrate handling modifications would be evaluated, but were not expected to be significant. Tailings storage facilities and auxiliary infrastructure would also be re-evaluated.
In anticipation of a positive outcome of the study, Atalaya said it was evaluating different sources of financing. The project is expected to have a “competitive capital intensity, similar to the original five-million-tonne-a-year refurbishment programme and the 9.5-million-tonne-a-year expansion”.
The assessment will be carried out over the next three months, and should Atalaya decide to proceed with the expansion, the construction period is estimated to be 18 months.
Article Enquiry
Email Article
Save Article
Feedback
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
Research Reports
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
Rio Carb is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of R-C700 Chromium Carbide (CrC) alloy clad wear plates and pipes used for heavy materials...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Leading condition monitoring specialists, WearCheck, help boost machinery lifespan and reduce catastrophic component failure through the scientific...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
