Atalaya Mining PLC reached full mechanical completion for its 15 million-tonne-per-annum expansion project for its Proyecto de Rio Tinto copper mine in Spain.

The new semi-autogenous grinding mill, new primary crusher, as well as associated equipment, have been running continuously and are ready to receive ore and ramp up production during the wet commissioning phase. Additional electricity supply for the expansion is expected to come on line in the third quarter.

The company is targeting to hit the nameplate capacity of the expanded plant of 15 Mtpa by December.