characteristics for mixing, transport, and disposal. These strategic and technical objectives aim to optimize operational efficiency while reducing socio-environmental impacts, ensuring Antamina's sustainability over the defined life extensions. 3. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND DATA COLLECTION The Commingling project, aligned with Antamina's project management guidelines, has developed the following engineering stages: 3.1 Conceptual Stage – Gate 1 During the conceptual study, several alternatives for project development were identified, including dewatering processes such as thickening, cyclone-screening, and filtration. Different crushing and conveying systems aligned with waste rock production were also identified. Furthermore, the mixing ratio range was defined based on laboratory tests and Antamina's operating parameters. Additionally, during this stage, the need for a pre-pilot plant was defined to demonstrate: • The feasibility of dewatering Antamina tailings using the following technologies: thickening, cyclone-screening, and filtration; • Small-scale stacking tests using the most representative tailings (M1 and M4) and waste rock (“A” intrusive and “C” marble) types from Antamina; • Segregation tests of the mixture at different mixing ratios Additionally, the preliminary design of mesoscale columns was defined to analyze the long-term geochemical-geotechnical behavior using the material produced by the Pre Pilot Plant. 3.2 Pre-Feasibility Stage – Gate 2 As part of the development of the Pre-Feasibility Study, based on Antamina's project management guidelines, the following activities are included: 3.2.1 Pre-Pilot Plant The Pre-Pilot Plant consisted of two areas: ● Tailings dewatering area. This area included three dewatering technologies: thickening (deep-cone thickener), cyclone screening, and filtration (filter press).
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