Name of the Project
E-LIX Plant construction project.

Location
Iberian pyrite belt, south-west Spain.

Project Owner/s
Atalaya Mining.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of the first phase of an industrial-scale plant that uses the E-LIX System – a new electrochemical extraction process developed and owned by Lain Technologies.

The plant will produce high-value copper and zinc metals from the complex sulphide concentrates sourced from Atalaya’s Proyecto Riotinto.

Phase 1 of the plant has been designed to produce between 3 000 t/y and 10 000 t/y of copper or zinc metal, depending on the ratio of copper to zinc in the concentrate feed.

The E-LIX plant will dissolve the valuable metals contained within the concentrates. The testwork and system design allow for the dissolution of chalcopyrite while avoiding the passivation of particles. After copper or other metals are brought into solution, they can be recovered by conventional precipitation or solvent extraction, followed by electrowinning.

The design allows for unlimited capacity expansion through the addition of multiple lines in parallel.

E-LIX is also expected to reduce Atalaya’s carbon footprint. The E-LIX plant is expected to use the renewable energy, which will be produced by Proyecto Riotinto’s planned solar plant, consequently reducing Atalaya’s carbon footprint.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure for Phase 1 is estimated at €12-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The plant is expected to be operational in 2022, including commissioning.

Latest Developments
Atalaya approved construction for the project in January 2022.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
E-LIX system (Lain Technologies).

Contact Details for Project Information
Atalaya Mining, tel +357 2244 2705 or email info@atalayamining.com.