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Snapshot
- Asset Type Processing facility
- Stage Construction
- Nameplate Capacity 3 ktpa copper metal or 10 ktpa zinc metal
- Location Andalucía, Spain
The E-LIX System is a newly developed electrochemical extraction process that utilises singular catalysts and physicochemical conditions to dissolve the valuable metals contained within sulphide concentrates.
The system design allows 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 (“SX-EW”), thereby producing finished metal on site.
The E-LIX System was developed by Lain Technologies (“Lain Tech”) with the financial support of Atalaya. Over a period of six years, Atalaya and Lain Tech conducted continuous testing of the process including through the development of a semi-industrial pilot plant in 2019.
In June 2021, Atalaya’s Board of Directors approved the construction of the first phase of an industrial-scale plant that utilises the E-LIX System.
Once operational, the E-LIX Phase I Plant is expected to unlock significant value from Atalaya’s polymetallic resources in the Riotinto District by materially increasing metal recoveries, reducing costs associated with the transportation and smelting of concentrates and lowering the Company’s carbon footprint.
Atalaya Mining and Lain Tech are part of i4-Green consortium, which supports interregional investment for the sustainable supply of raw materials in the EU Green Energy Transition. Launched in November 2022, I4-GREEN is a 30-month European project coordinated by ICAMCyL Foundation to research and innovate new models for interregional EU collaboration. The project aims to drive and boost green, circular, and social tech deployment through joint investments, to ultimately reduce the EU dependence on imports of Critical Raw Materials and the negative impact on the environment of their extraction and processing.
