Kennecott mine tellurium plant, US – update
Name of the Project
Kennecott mine tellurium plant.
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah, in the US.
Project Owner/s
Rio Tinto.
Project Description
The project involves the construction of a new plant that will recover tellurium from copper refining at Kennecot.
Tellurium is an essential component of cadmium telluride, a semiconductor used to manufacture thin film photovoltaic solar panels.
Thin films made of this compound can efficiently convert sunlight into electricity.
Tellurium can also be used as an additive to steel and copper to improve machinability, making these metals easier to cut.
It can also be added to lead to increase resistance to sulphuric acid, vibration and fatigue.
The plant will recover tellurium as a by-product of copper smelting and will have the capacity to produce about 20 t/y of tellurium.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Rio Tinto is investing $2.9-million to set up the plant.
Planned Start/End Date
Rio Tinto expects to begin production of tellurium in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Latest Developments
JSE-listed Murray & Roberts has secured a contract, valued at $70-million, for its Cementation Americas business.
The contract involves underground characterisation development and infrastructure for the Kennecott project.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Murray & Roberts (underground characterisation development and infrastructure).
Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto media relations (US), Matthew Klar, tel +1 514 608 4429.
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