Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/937377
54 www.resourceworld.com F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 8 M ining has been carried out in Europe for millennia, start- ing with flint, obsidian, coal, placer gold, salt and, eventually, iron ore, copper, and so on. Today, mining is still an important industry in Europe employing well over half a million people. However, in Europe the industry is now viewed from a more comprehensive point a view that takes into account all the metal and minerals used by society now and in the future, including the recycling sector. In a recent report, the European Association of Mining Industries, Metal Ores & Industrial Minerals notes that with the world's population expected to reach 9 billion people by 2030, access to primary mineral resources is necessary for both developed and developing countries. This is the main reason that substitution, recycling and more efficient use of raw materials is so important going forward. The report stated: "…urbanisation and economic growth will dramatically increase the demand for all mineral raw materials" and that "this places unprec- edented pressure on natural resources to meet future consumer demand." The Euromines report suggests that mining companies should strive to advance mining and processing technolo- gies to improve the efficiency of extracting raw materials from the ground in a world where known accessible resources are lim- ited and even the most efficient operations may not be able to meet future demand. Thus, with base metals being an inte- gral part of infrastructure, the companies summarized below are playing an impor- tant role in delivering these essential commodities. Atalaya Mining PLC [AYM-TSX; ATYM-LONDON AIM], along with its subsidiaries, will proceed with the 15 million tonne-per-year expansion plan at Proyecto Riotinto 65 km northwest of Sevilla, southwestern Spain. The 15-mil- lion-tonne-per-year expansion plan is designed to upgrade processing facilities with the ultimate goal of increasing cop- per production to approximately 50,000 to 55,000 tonnes per year. The expansion plan aims to increase copper production, improve operational efficiencies, reduce maintenance require- ments and lower operating cash costs. Capital cost has been estimated at €80.4 million, consistent with the low capital intensity that the company has delivered previously at Proyecto Riotinto. The expansion project represents capi- tal intensity of approximately US $6,100/ tonne for the expected incremental 15,000 tonnes of copper production over current nameplate. The company has estimated a European Base Metal Stocks by Ellsworth Dickson AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF PRODUCTION, EUROPEAN MINING IS STILL AN ACTIVE AND IMPORTANT SOURCE OF COMMODITIES, REVENUE AND EMPLOYMENT.