https://www.miningweekly.com

Mechanical completion of Proyecto Riotinto expansion 'imminent'

11th July 2019

By: Mariaan Webb

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

The expansion of the Proyecto Riotinto mine to 15-million tonnes a year is about to be finalised, paving the way for the Spain-based copper operation to increase production to between 50 000 t/y and 55 000 t/y in 2020.

Mechanical completion was expected in the “next few weeks”, Aim- and TSX-listed Atalaya Mining said on Thursday, reporting that the new flotation and concentrate handling areas were finished and operational, while the new primary crushing area was mechanically finished with commissioning under way. In the new milling area, mechanical activities were progressing and would be completed in the coming weeks.

"With the mechanical completion of the Riotinto expansion and modernisation project expected imminently, the company will progressively increase the level of copper production during the remainder of the year. Completion of the project on time and on budget is an excellent outcome for the company and continues to demonstrate its operational capabilities,” commented CEO Alberto Lavandeira in the company’s second-quarter operations update.

Riotinto's June quarter production was 10 888 t, a 4.2% increase on the prior-year period, with 2.6-million tonnes of ore being processed at an average copper head grade of 0.48% and a recovery rate of 88.72%.

In comparison with the first quarter of 2019, copper production has increased 6.5% as a result of higher throughput and better grades.

Atalaya said that its 2019 guidance for copper production of between 45 000 t and 46 500 t remained unchanged and so does its guidance for 2020.

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

The functionality you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

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?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION