One of the mining industry’s most pressing challenges is the management of environmental liabilities generated during the ore grinding process. These materials—often considered to have reached the end of their life cycle—accumulate in stockpiles or landfills, occupying valuable space, increasing operational costs, and posing environmental and social risks to surrounding communities.
Faced with this scenario, ME Elecmetal and TTM joined forces to rethink the fate of these materials—transforming what was once considered waste into valuable assets aligned with the industry’s growing focus on circular economy and sustainability. At the core of this collaboration is the goal of extending the useful life of materials and reintegrating them into the production cycle.
To address this challenge, the companies launched the Footprint Alliance (FPA)—a pioneering joint venture that brings together technological expertise, operational capabilities, and innovation. This initiative is structured around three key areas:
At the heart of this innovation is the development of a modular, semi-mobile recycling plant, designed for flexibility and scalability. This solution enables on-site operation, efficient transport between locations, and customization to meet specific operational needs. Its effectiveness is driven by the integration of advanced technologies and methodologies, including:
The process is carried out in three key stages:
The implementation of this solution represents a paradigm shift in ME Elecmetal’s operations, fully aligned with its Circular Business Model—a comprehensive system focused on material circulation and the recovery of secondary resources. Materials traditionally considered waste are now transformed into high-value raw materials, improving operational efficiency, optimizing logistics, and recovering scarce resources.
“This is a pioneering project that is transforming the way we approach mining waste. What was once considered a liability is now becoming a valuable asset, contributing to the circularity and sustainability of the industry.”
— Iván Flores, Commercial Manager at ME Elecmetal South America
“This is a pioneering project that is transforming the way we approach mining waste. What was once considered a liability is now becoming a valuable asset, contributing to the circularity and sustainability of the industry”
— José Pablo Domínguez, General Manager of ME Elecmetal South America
“Working with ME Elecmetal has been a great experience because it brings together two teams with complementary perspectives. While our focus is on mineral transport outside the mine, ME Elecmetal specializes in processing. Integrating these capabilities is not always easy, but we have done so in a highly collaborative way—successfully tackling complex challenges together.”
— Philippe Hemmerdinger, General Manager of TTM
In 2025, the Footprint Alliance (FPA) secured a contract with the Carmen de Andacollo operation (Teck), focused on the separation and recovery of materials accumulated on-site. This project enabled the recovery of grinding balls, scrap metal, and ore from a stockpile of nearly 13,000 tons.
Over the course of the project, a total of 13,938 tons of material were processed, confirming the accuracy of the initial technical estimates. The process achieved a 26.3% recovery rate for reusable spherical balls under 115 mm—more than double the minimum requirement set by the client. Additionally, the total proportion of grinding balls in the material exceeded 33%, validating the use of up to 40% recycled balls in the operation without negatively impacting key performance indicators such as particle size distribution, power consumption, or overall throughput.
Beyond its technical success, the project delivered significant economic and environmental benefits. The client achieved savings of nearly US$2.6 million by reducing the need for new grinding media through the reuse of recovered materials. At the same time, the site where the waste had accumulated was fully remediated, eliminating an environmental liability.
This pilot project demonstrates the tangible impact of the circular economy model promoted by FPA—aligned with ME Elecmetal’s strategy to recover materials and reintroduce them into the production cycle. The result is a more efficient, lower-emission approach that supports sustainable mining practices and long-term value creation.
| Finished Product | Quantity | Unit | Percentage |
| Mineral | 8.592 | Metric Tonnes | 61,6% |
| Spherical Balls< 115mm | 3.669 | Metric Tonnes | 26,3% |
| Spherical Balls> 115mm | 1.073 | Metric Tonnes | 7,7% |
| Scap Metal | 604 | Metric Tonnes | 4,3% |
| Total | 13.938 | Metric Tonnes | 100% |
