Rio2 launches a dry tailings plant in Condestable following an investment of US$27 million

The miner Rio2 Limited The commissioning phase of its new Tailings Filtration Plant (TFP) at the Condestable copper mine, located in the Lima region, has begun, marking a relevant advancement in the modernization of its operations.

The project, which required an investment of approximately US$27 million and an 18-month construction period, will facilitate the transition to a dry tailings system, considered a more efficient and sustainable standard in the mining industry.

The plant has a design capacity of 8,400 tons per day (tpd), which will enable it to process the existing tailings from the operation. In addition, it has been designed with the flexibility to accommodate future production expansions.

“We are pleased with this important step at Condestable. The operations team's commitment to the highest environmental and safety standards has been impressive, and the start of the filtration plant's commissioning phase is clear proof of this effort,” he noted. Andrew Cox, President and CEO of the company.

The company anticipates the commissioning process to be completed in approximately 10 weeks, with the aim of achieving full commercial operations during the third quarter of 2026.

In the first stage, filtered tailings will be deposited in existing authorized facilities, while progressing towards the use of Tailings Storage Facility 6, which has an estimated initial capacity of 43 million tons, with the possibility of progressive expansion up to 170 million tons.

Currently, the plant is in the final stages of obtaining permits, with environmental approval also expected in the third quarter of 2026.

One of the main benefits of the new system will be an increase in water recovery, which will rise from approximately 60% to about 90%, optimizing water use and reducing the need for new water permits for future expansions.

“It is also an important step for the next stage of growth at the mine, which at Rio2 we will be delighted to present before the end of this year,” the executive added.

With this project, Rio2 advances the implementation of solutions that combine operational efficiency and sustainability, in line with current trends in modern mining.