Core Insights - Gunnison Copper Corp. announced that Rio Tinto successfully produced the first copper using its Nuton® Technology at the Johnson Camp mine in Arizona, marking a significant advancement in copper processing technology [1][2][3] Technology Development - After over 30 years of research, the first copper cathode was produced using Rio Tinto's bioleaching technology, which utilizes microorganisms grown on-site [2] - The technology package is designed for a heap leach pad with a target production of approximately 30,000 tonnes of refined copper over a four-year demonstration period [2] Efficiency and Environmental Impact - Nuton technology allows for cleaner, faster, and more efficient copper production, achieving recovery rates of up to 85% from primary sulphides [5][6] - The environmental performance of Nuton is expected to surpass traditional methods, with up to 80% less water usage and up to 60% lower carbon emissions compared to conventional processes [6] Carbon Footprint - At Johnson Camp, Nuton aims to produce copper with the lowest carbon footprint in the U.S., with a projected mine-to-metal carbon footprint of 0.82 kg CO₂-e per kg of copper, significantly lower than the global average of 3.4 kg CO₂-e per kg [7] Production Capacity and Future Plans - The Johnson Camp asset is fully funded by Nuton LLC, with a production capacity of up to 25 million lbs of finished copper cathode annually [14] - The next phase will focus on validating long-term technical performance through multi-year testing and independent verification [9]