The Peru Mining Innovation Hub has a mining company member with a copper oxide operation that, in recent years, has accumulated a significant volume of ripios, which are materials that have undergone a leaching process but still contain a relevant proportion of copper.

The mining company is looking to explore and validate alternative leaching technologies. These range from conventional hydrometallurgical processes and specialised reagent solutions to emerging approaches such as biohydrometallurgy or green solvents, that can enable the economically viable recovery of copper and/or other valuable elements from previously processed ripios.

Between April 2021 and December 2023, more than 9.5 million dry metric tons (DMT) of ripios were generated, with an average copper grade of approximately 0.24%, representing an accumulated content of over 22,000 metric tons of fine copper (MTF).

Mineralogical analyses carried out through X-ray diffraction (XRD) have revealed relevant residual copper content (up to 2.25%) and a high proportion of iron (up to 16.8%) in several samples taken from specific leaching pads. These results support the potential for value recovery from the dumps and allow prioritisation of areas with greater metallurgical interest. Additionally, the low concentrations of contaminants such as chlorine and fluorine reinforce the technical feasibility of implementing new leaching processes.

This accumulation includes at least two categories:

1. Ripios with high residual copper content, generated during the initial stages of operation due to structural constraints in the leaching pads, and

2. Ripios with low copper grade, generated under normal processing conditions.

Currently, these ripios are stored in dumps that have been properly classified and characterised from volumetric, physical, and chemical perspectives.

Recent testing conducted by the operations team indicates that the ripios have an average bulk density of approximately 1.94 t/m³, with a range between 1.89 and 1.97 t/m³. This characterization makes it possible to identify zones with higher recovery potential.

The company has recently advanced in an engineering assessment to reprocess these ripios through traditional static or dynamic heap leaching, obtaining preliminarily positive results - though profitability is yet to be confirmed. As an alternative, it is also being considered to reincorporate these ripios into the existing leaching pads once their operational capacity has been exhausted.

Solutions may include, but are not limited to:

- Alternative leaching technologies (biological, salt-based, organic solvent-based, or with specific reagents) applicable to ripios with either low or high residual copper content.

- Optimised acid washing methods that mobilize remaining copper with minimal acidity and water consumption.

- Selective recovery technologies targeting valuable elements other than copper (e.g., iron or rare earth elements), based on specific mineralogical characterizations.

It has been identified that, under the current heap leaching configuration, up to 70% of operational costs are associated with acid consumption, which makes low-acid consumption technologies especially valuable. Moreover, there is an open opportunity to explore whether these ripios may contain other valuable elements whose recovery could represent an untapped opportunity.

Expected results:

- Lower operational cost per ton processed

- Effective metallurgical recovery of copper and/or by-products

- Reduced acid consumption per ton processed (due to high-cost impact).

- Competitive CAPEX and feasible implementation timelines

- A return horizon that is shorter than five years, showing a favourable business case relative to current alternatives.

Limitations or special considerations:

- The proposed solutions must be suitable for testing in one of the 15 leaching tanks of the process, each measuring 41.6m long, 36m wide, and 7m high, with a total length of 600 meters for the process. Leaching takes place over 5 to 6 days.

- Chrysocolla and atacamite particles have been identified in the tailings below 10 millimetres.

- Comply with environmental and regulatory constraints, especially permits associated with the underground water board.

- Use of seawater is an operational advantage for the company.

- Technologies must be compared with the baseline case of static heap reprocessing or ripio reincorporation.

- Solutions with at least pilot or pre-commercial validation (TRL 7–8) will be prioritized. However, technologies in advanced laboratory stages (TRL 5–6) may also be considered if they provide solid evidence of scalability. Solutions that are already applied or validated in other relevant mining contexts are also valued.

- In-situ processing technologies or mobile/modular solutions that reduce transport needs or permanent infrastructure requirements.

Phase 1 - Submission Period

Suppliers are invited to submit their short-form solution to the challenge by Thursday 5 March 2026 for evaluation by Austmine and the Peru Mining Innovation Hub member.

The solution submission questions can be viewed here.

A shortlisting process takes place and successful suppliers are invited to participate in phase 2.

Phase 2 - Evaluation Period
Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to a technical briefing, where each supplier will be able to gain more information about the challenge from the Peru Mining Innovation Hub member. This will allow you to refine your proposed solution prior to the Pitch Session.

Following the technical briefing, suppliers will pitch their solution directly to the Peru Mining Innovation Hub member online via Teams breakout rooms. This provides the opportunity to ‘sell’ your solution, gain feedback from operational teams and field questions about the solution.

Phase 3 - Full Proposal Submission
Following the Pitch Session, a final shortlisting of supplier(s) takes place. The remaining suppliers are invited to submit their formal technical and economic proposals.

Winner Announced
The Peru Mining Innovation Hub member will select the best fit solution(s) for the challenge. Unsuccessful submitters are notified in writing by Austmine.

Submission deadline - Thursday 5 March 2026

Shortlisted Suppliers Notified - Tuesday 24 March 2026

Technical briefing - Tuesday 31 March 2026 (TBC)

Pitch sessions - Tuesday 14 April 2026

Final proposal deadline - Early May 2026