BHP and Rio Tinto to collaborate on new tailings technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Rio Tinto and BHP have partnered to enhance water recovery from mine tailings, aiming to minimize safety risks and environmental impact. The initial project will test a large-volume filter unit at a BHP copper mine in Chile, with potential water recovery of up to 80%. The project, leveraging Rio Tinto's prior experience, is set to start operations in early 2024, and may lead to significant reductions in water consumption and environmental footprint. This initiative aligns with growing global demands for sustainable mining practices.

Positive

• Partnership with BHP aims to enhance water recovery from mine tailings by up to 80%.
• Project set to begin in early 2023 and operations in early 2024, indicating timely execution.
• Potential for improved sustainability practices and reduced environmental footprint.

Negative

• None.

MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global miners BHP and Rio Tinto have formed a partnership agreement to accelerate the development of technology that could significantly increase water recovery from mine tailings, and in turn reduce potential safety risks and environmental footprints associated with tailings storage facilities.

The first project will involve testing the application of an innovative large-volume filter unit at a BHP copper mine in Chile, which would remove up to 80% of the water in the tailings stream before it is deposited in a storage facility.

Rio Tinto will bring its experience from implementing smaller-scale tailings filters for bauxite residues at alumina refineries since 2005. Both organisations will work in collaboration with leading technology and equipment providers, technical experts, research groups and the academic sector.

Manufacture of the filter unit is already underway. The pilot construction is due to begin in early 2023 and operations are scheduled to commence in early 2024. The pilot will test the potential of a large-scale tailings filter unit for scalability and cost-effectiveness across global mining operations.

Removing more water from tailings would reduce potential risks associated with moisture in storage facilities, reduce the footprint required by such facilities, and create opportunities to productively re-use tailings, for example, as raw material for glass, construction or agriculture industries.

The additional water recovered from tailings by filtration could be re-used in processing facilities, reducing overall water consumption.

BHP Chief Technical Officer, Laura Tyler, said: “The world will need more critical minerals in the decades to come to support economic development and decarbonisation pathways. It is important that we keep working together across the global mining sector to raise standards and make sure our operations are as safe and sustainable as they can be. Responsible management of tailings and improved water use is a big part of that.”

Rio Tinto Chief Technical Officer, Mark Davies, said: “It is in everyone’s interest that we, as an industry, find safer and more sustainable ways to manage tailings. As two of the leading companies in the sector, we want to bring our combined knowledge and expertise to address this challenge.”

Tailings usually takes the form of a liquid slurry made of fine metal or mineral particles and water – created when mined ore is crushed and finely ground in a milling process to enable the metals and minerals of interest to be extracted.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221030005001/en/

BHP

Australia and Asia

Jeremy Milne

M +61 438 803 549

Satish Rajmohan

M +65 9825 6307

UK

Neil Burrows

+44 7786 661 683

Americas

Renata Fernandez

M +56 9 8229 5357

Megan Hjulfors

M +1 403 605 2314

media.relations@bhp.com

Rio Tinto

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Media Relations, UK

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas

Simon Letendre

M +514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James’s Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: General

Source: Rio Tinto

FAQ

What is the partnership between Rio Tinto and BHP about?

Rio Tinto and BHP have partnered to develop technology that enhances water recovery from mine tailings, reducing safety risks and environmental impacts.

Where will the pilot project for the new water recovery technology take place?

The pilot project will take place at a BHP copper mine in Chile.

When will the operations for the pilot project commence?

Operations for the pilot project are scheduled to commence in early 2024.

How much water can the new filter unit potentially recover?

The innovative filter unit could remove up to 80% of the water from the tailings stream.

What are the benefits of improved water recovery in mining?

Improved water recovery can reduce moisture-related risks in tailings storage, lower environmental footprint, and allow for the reuse of water in processing facilities.