The Riotinto mine, operated by Atalaya Mining, has produced 13,493 tonnes of copper in the second quarter of 2026, a 36% increase compared to the previous quarter.
The Riotinto mine, located in the Huelva Mining Basin, recorded a production of 13,493 tonnes of copper during the second quarter of 2026, according to the operational results published by Atalaya Mining. This figure represents a significant increase from the 9,939 tonnes in the previous quarter, driven by the normalisation of operations following the heavy rains that affected activity earlier in the year.
The treatment plant processed 4.1 million tonnes of ore during the period, with an average copper grade of 0.39% and a metallurgical recovery of 83.91%, surpassing the figures from the same quarter in 2025. Atalaya's CEO, Alberto Lavandeira, highlighted the "strong production quarter" and the improvement in grades, as well as the good performance of the plant. He also expressed optimism for the second half of the year, emphasising "the strength of the copper market."
Atalaya Mining continues to advance on projects that will define the future of the Riotinto mining-metallurgical complex. Among them, the construction of the Masa Valverde facilities stands out, as well as research work in the San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits. Concurrently, the company is working on an R&D project to produce a pyrite concentrate from the waste generated during ore treatment, which could be used to obtain sulphuric acid, a raw material used in various industrial processes.
In terms of sustainability, Atalaya has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, available on its website. The report outlines the launch of the first phase of its solar plant in Riotinto, which is already operating at 70% of its capacity and has covered 10% of the electricity consumed by the mine in 2025. This initiative has helped reduce CO2 emissions, which fell from 0.42 tonnes per thousand tonnes of production in 2024 to 0.33 in 2025.
The report also highlights the landscape restoration project of an old ilmenite dump, which employs advanced geomorphological remodelling and revegetation techniques with native species to integrate the space into the landscape and improve its environmental conditions. Additionally, the Atalaya Foundation has concluded the sixth edition of its Mining Facilities Technician Operator Course, with an employment rate exceeding 65% among the 20 participants. This edition saw collaboration from companies such as Insersa, Sánchez y Lago, Umaco, Mimese, SPI Bierzo, Codisevand, Maxam, Royman, Movimientos de Tierras y Áridos del Tinto, Voladuras y Transportes Blanco, Grusol, Goipe, and CaixaBank.
The course, taught by the Chamber of Commerce Business School, offers comprehensive training over eight months, combining 300 theoretical hours and 200 practical hours in companies within the sector. Participants gain specialised knowledge and qualifications that facilitate their entry into the mining industry.
In the educational field, Atalaya continues with the #MineCrush project, aimed at promoting the mining sector among students in its vicinity. In its expanded second edition, more than 120 students from IES Cuenca Minera (Minas de Riotinto), Nuevo Milenio (Zalamea la Real), Diego Angulo (Valverde del Camino), and La Campiña (Beas) participated in talks with Atalaya professionals, learning about career opportunities in mining.
These results reinforce the position of the Riotinto mine as a key asset in copper production in Spain, with positive prospects for the second half of the year. The company expects to continue improving its operational indicators and advancing its growth and sustainability projects.
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