Rio Tinto $RIO (-1,04%)
$RIO (+0,43%) has successfully extracted the first copper from the Johnson Camp mine in Arizona with its Nuton technology, thus taking a decisive step in the development of this innovative copper processing technology.
After more than 30 years of research and development, the first copper cathode was produced last month at Gunnison Copper's Johnson Camp mine using Rio Tinto's proprietary bioleaching technology based on microorganisms grown on site. The engagement includes the development and delivery of a technology package for a heap leach facility that is expected to produce approximately 30,0001 tons of refined copper over a four-year demonstration period. Rio Tinto is in contact with several potential customers in the US to support the domestic copper supply chain.
Katie Jackson, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Copper, said: "This is a landmark achievement for our Nuton technology, proving that cleaner, faster and more efficient copper production is possible on an industrial scale. In an industry where projects typically take around 18 years to go from concept to production, Nuton has now proven that this is possible in just 18 months.
"Nuton has developed a modular system that is used as a technology package and integrates biology, chemistry, engineering and digital tools. This allows it to be quickly scaled and adapted to different ore bodies, making it possible to develop resources that were previously considered uneconomical or difficult. We are actively working on projects in North and South America to assess the potential for future deployment in other locations in the coming years."
Nuton uses naturally occurring microorganisms to extract copper from primary sulphide ores, which are traditionally difficult to process. These microbes, grown on a large scale in Nuton's proprietary bioreactors, accelerate the oxidation of the minerals in the crushed ore stockpile, generating heat and allowing the copper to dissolve into a leach solution, which is then processed into 99.99% pure copper cathode.
Significantly, processing copper ore with Nuton eliminates the need for concentration, smelting and refining, shortening supply chains and allowing the copper cathode to be delivered directly at the mine exit. The process achieves yields of up to 85% from primary sulphides, the most abundant copper-bearing ores in the world.
Nuton can also extend mine life and maximize resource utilization by extracting value from ore that would otherwise be classified as waste, increasing yield and revenue at both new and existing mines. Its environmental performance is expected to outperform conventional copper processing technologies, with up to 80% less water consumption and up to 60% less CO2 emissions than the traditional concentrator route.
At Johnson Camp, Nuton aims to produce copper with the lowest carbon footprint in the US. By purchasing 134,000 Green-e Energy certified renewable energy certificates, Nuton ensures that 100% of the site's electricity comes from renewable sources. The carbon footprint of the copper produced is expected to be 0.82 kilograms of CO2-e per kilogram of copper, which is the lowest in the U.S. and well below the global average of 3.4 kilograms of CO2-e per kilogram projected for 2026 at operating copper mines. In addition, water consumption is expected to be 71 liters per kilogram of copper, compared to the global industry average of ~130 liters per kilogram of copper production.
