Innovation and technology

Innovation and the development of new technologies provide an opportunity for Atalaya to maintain and improve its competitiveness and adopt the best practices in the copper market.

Innovation and Technology guiding principles:

Encourage innovation, through research and development of sustainable technologies and circular economy processes, establishing alliances and collaborations with other stakeholders.

Our performance 2020-2022

Indicator	2020	2021	2022
Ratio of investment in R&D&I to EBITDA (%)	6.6	3.3	14.85
Investment in geological and mining research (M €)	2.8	3.3	4.3

Innovation and Technology topics

To manage these efforts efficiently, the Company has created a specific working group with the task of deploying Atalaya’s innovation strategy. This strategy highlights four priority areas where the Company will focus its efforts.

Energy Efficiency

Reduction of energy consumption in critical equipment and reduction of the carbon footprint of the process

Digitalisation

Digitalisation in different processes (i.e. grinding and flotation circuits)

Circular economy

Waste recovery and processing

Productivity improvement

Study and evaluation of techniques and technologies for the improvement of production with a global vision

For Atalaya Mining’s business, it is essential to use Information and Technology (IT) resources as ameans of providing information at all levels.

Likewise, in order for the organisation to achieve its objectives, it is necessary to guarantee minimum downtime, both in its IT resources and in communications; in this way it is possible to maintain an efficient contingency in all operational areas. Consequently, Atalaya Mining plc has implemented a Contingency and Cybersecurity Plan to protect the Company from these risks. Within this Plan annual security audits by an external specialised Company are included.

Innovation and Technology: Case Studies

Key R+D+I projects in 2021

Digital solution for optimising SAG Mill performance

Development of a digital solution allowing the SAG mill to operate and be optimised in an automatic or semi-automatic mode.

Study for the recovery of water in final waste

Study and piloting for the early recovery of water from the final flotation residues, in order to use water with the best properties.

Minerva Smart Geocontrol

Atalaya is undertaking an innovative digital transition to geotechnical and geodetic control of the Riotinto Mine. The aim is to create a multidisciplinary monitoring and interpretation platform that will integrate classical monitoring techniques with innovative satellite, passive seismic and artificial intelligence techniques in real time.