Eva Lain explica el método E-LIX por el que Atalaya Mining produciría cobre en la mina de Riotinto

Summary

Evamaría Line, a Cambridge-trained electrochemist and founder of La Interna, is transforming copper production at Riotinto mine with her innovative IX method. This environmentally friendly technique allows for direct leaching of primary minerals at the mine site, eliminating emissions and the need for harmful chemicals. After a year of successful pilot operations, the process could yield high-purity copper and reshape local mining practices. With a feasibility study underway for scaling up to 10,000 tons annually, Line's work promises to enhance Spain's mining potential and establish a sustainable model for the industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Evamaría Line is a Cambridge-trained electrochemist and the founder of a mining company focused on innovative metallurgy.
• 🌍 Her patented method allows Atalaya Mining to produce copper directly at the historic Riotinto mine, marking a significant shift in mining operations.
• ⚗️ The new process, known as IX, provides an alternative to traditional methods by enabling the leaching of primary minerals without needing smelting.
• 🌱 This method is environmentally friendly, generating zero emissions and requiring no water or acids, making it a greener alternative to conventional processes.
• 🔍 Evamaría has a diverse background, speaking five languages and receiving multiple awards for her academic achievements, including in physics.
• 🏭 Currently, copper concentrate produced at Riotinto is exported for smelting, but the new process aims to produce final copper on-site.
• 📈 The pilot plant has demonstrated success, scaling operations from laboratory to semi-industrial settings with plans for further expansion.
• 🔧 The team is working on a feasibility study to evaluate the investment needed for a full-scale plant, projected to produce 10,000 tons of copper annually.
• 🚀 The innovative technology could enable the exploitation of previously unviable mineral deposits, potentially revitalizing local mining economies.
• 🕰️ If successful, the implementation of this method could be realized within the next 12 to 18 months, with optimism about overcoming any potential obstacles.

Q & A

Who is Eva María and what is her educational background?

Eva María is a doctor in electrochemistry from the University of Cambridge and the founder of a mining venture. She has won numerous awards and speaks five languages.

What is the significance of Eva María's patented method?

Her patented method allows for the production of copper directly at the Riotinto mine, making it economically viable to exploit previously closed mining operations.

What traditional methods are used for copper extraction, and how does her method differ?

Traditional methods include hydrometallurgical dissolution and pyrometallurgical smelting. Eva María's method, known as IX, is an innovative hydrometallurgical approach that can process primary minerals on-site.

What are the environmental benefits of Eva María's extraction method?

The method is environmentally friendly as it generates zero emissions and does not require water or acids, contrasting sharply with traditional methods that use harsh chemicals and high temperatures.

How has the pilot project progressed at the Riotinto mine?

The pilot project has been operating continuously for about a year, demonstrating the feasibility of the process with plans to scale it up significantly.

What is the expected outcome of scaling this technology?

Scaling the technology could lead to producing up to 10,000 tons of copper per year, transforming the mine's operations to produce copper directly on-site.

How does this method affect the local mining economy?

It has the potential to revitalize the local mining economy by allowing the mine to produce and sell copper domestically, reducing reliance on overseas smelting facilities.

What challenges does Eva María foresee in implementing her method at scale?

While she is optimistic, she acknowledges potential obstacles, such as technical modifications and ensuring the process is economically viable at an industrial scale.

What role does Eva María see her technology playing in the future of mining?

She believes her technology could make previously unviable mining projects feasible, thus significantly impacting the mining sector and local economies.

What is the timeline for further development and potential industrial application of her method?

Eva María anticipates that within 4 to 5 months, a feasibility study will be completed, and if approved, industrial application could begin in approximately one to one and a half years.