Rio Tinto, CODELCO in Rio de Cobre mining technology alliance

Mining giant Rio Tinto has entered into the "Río de Cobre" (River of Copper) technology alliance agreement with Chile's state-owned  Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (CODELCO).

The new alliance allows both companies to jointly pursue next generation copper mining and processing technology developmen, to deliver safer, more energy efficient and lower cost of production from both current and next generation open cut and deep underground mines while operating with a lower a overall environmental impact.

Governed by an independent chair and vice chair, Río de Cobre will pursue step change technology development in the areas of Surface Mining, Underground Mining and Copper Mineral Recovery.

Tom Albanese, Rio Tinto's chief executive, said, "Combining the Rio Tinto Mine of the Future effort with the industry renowned copper technology expertise of CODELCO positions both of our companies to best confront the challenges posed by the increasing demand for copper."

CODELCO chief executive Jose Pablo Arellano said, "Today, CODELCO as leader of the copper mining industry is extremely pleased to be signing the Rio de Cobre Alliance with Rio Tinto. This initiative will make possible a major technological breakthrough collaboration between the world's largest innovators in the mining industry, starting the effort to meet the challenges in underground mine where we have the largest operation projects in the copper industry."