Riotinto 15 Mtpa Plant

Atalaya’s 15 Mtpa Plant is the largest processing facility in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

In December 2017, Atalaya approved an expansion that would increase Riotinto’s throughput capacity from 9.5 Mtpa to 15 Mtpa, thereby increasing copper production, improving operational efficiencies, reducing maintenance requirements and lowering unit operating costs.

The expansion to 15 Mtpa involved the installation of a new primary crushing system, a new SAG mill, additional flotation cells and concentrate handling installations and other site infrastructure.

Since reaching nameplate capacity in January 2020, the plant has demonstrated its ability to consistently operate at processing rates of above 15 Mtpa.

Consistent with Atalaya’s philosophy of continuous improvement, numerous plant optimisation initiatives have been implemented in order to increase recoveries, reduce energy consumption and improve the recycling of water.

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