Atalaya Mining Plc (AIM: ATYM, TSX: AYM) has confirmed that operations have recommenced at its Proyecto Riotinto copper mine in Spain.
On March30, 2020, Atalaya announced the stoppage of operations at Proyecto Riotinto in response to the Spanish government’s Royal Decree released on March 29, 2020 which declared mining a non-essential industry.
The Royal Decree was put in place to increase the national protective measures against COVID-19 and prevents workers in non-essential industries from attending their places of work and thereby results in a suspension of certain business operations.
Further to the Royal Decree, the company received, on April 3, 2020, from the mining department of the Junta de Andalucía, clarifications that the definition of essential industry is extended to mining as it is a required supplier to other essential industries included in the Royal Decree. Accordingly, operations at Proyecto Riotinto have now recommenced.
Strict health and security measures imposed by the Spanish government continue to be mandatory for the critical workforce required on site.
Associated to these measures, Atalaya said it will maximise the stockpiles available on site, defer all non-essential activities and focus on the production of concentrates to fulfill national and international commitments to supply other industries.
Atalaya produces copper concentrates and silver by-product at its wholly owned Proyecto Riotinto site in south-west Spain.
The company declared commercial production at Proyecto Riotinto in February 2016 at an initial processing rate of 5Mtpa. An Expansion Project increased processing capacity to current 9.5Mtpa and the company is currently undertaking 15M Project to further further expand to 15Mtpa.
