Rio2 Limited, a mining company listed on the TSX, OTCQX, and BVL, has announced the commencement of the commissioning phase for its new Tailings Filtration Facility at the Condestable Copper Mine in Peru. This development follows an 18-month construction period and a total capital investment of approximately USD 27 million, representing a significant operational advancement for the company.
Operational Milestone and Capacity Details
The transition to dry-stack tailings through the new facility is a major milestone, enhancing safety and environmental standards at the mine. The Tailings Filtration Facility features an installed design capacity of 8,400 tonnes per day, capable of processing 100% of Condestable's current tailings output. It has been engineered to accommodate potential future production expansions, with commissioning expected to conclude within 10 weeks and full commercial operations slated for the third quarter of 2026.
Environmental and Permitting Progress
Filtered dry tailings output will initially be deposited within existing, permitted tailings impoundment facilities before transitioning to Tailings Storage Facility #6. The facility is currently in advanced stages of the permitting process, with environmental approval anticipated during the third quarter of 2026. Initial permitted capacity for Facility #6 is expected to be 43 million tonnes, with design allowing for staged expansions up to 170 million tonnes to support future mine life extensions.
Benefits and Strategic Implications
By shifting to a dry-stacking facility, Condestable establishes itself as a best-in-class operation in tailings management, aligning with its Copper Mark Certification. The filtration process will increase total water recovery at the mine from approximately 60% to close to 90%, providing capacity for future growth projects without requiring additional water permits or increasing local water resource usage.
Andrew Cox, President & CEO of Rio2, commented: "We are very happy about this important step at Condestable. The operating team's commitment to the highest environmental and safety standards has been impressive, and the beginning of the commissioning phase of the filter plant is strong evidence of this effort. It is also an important step for the next stage of growth at the mine, which we at Rio2 will be excited to unveil before the end of this year."
The scientific and technical content of this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Enrique Garay, MSc P.Geo/FAIG, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Additional information can be found in the independent technical report available under Rio2's SEDAR+ profile.
