Rio2 commences commissioning of Condestable tailings filtration facility in Peru

Rio2 Limited has announced commencement of the commissioning phase for the new Tailings Filtration Facility (TFF) at its newly acquired Condestable Copper Mine in Peru.

The transition to dry-stack tailings provided by the new TFF represents a major operational milestone, following an 18-month construction period and a total capital investment of approximately US$27 million. The facility features an installed design capacity of 8,400 t/d, capable of processing 100% of Condestable’s current tailings output and has been engineered to accommodate potential future production expansions. Commissioning is expected to conclude within 10 weeks, with full commercial operations slated for the third quarter, 2026.

Filtered dry tailings output from the TFF will initially be deposited within the existing, permitted, tailings impoundment facilities before transitioning to Tailings Storage Facility #6. The TFF is currently in the advanced stages of the permitting process, with environmental approval expected during the third quarter of 2026. Initial permitted capacity for Facility #6 is expected to be 43 Mt, with the design allowing for staged expansions of up to a total of 170 Mt to support future extensions to the life of the mine.

By shifting to a dry-stacking facility, Condestable Rio2 says “establishes itself as a best-in-class operation regarding tailings management, materially enhancing safety and environmental standards.”

This investment also aligns with Condestable’s ongoing commitment to its Copper Mark Certification. Furthermore, the filtration process will increase total water recovery at the mine from approximately 60% to close to 90%. This substantial improvement in water recovery provides the capacity for future growth projects without requiring additional water permits or increasing the use of local water resources.