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Gunnison Copper Announces That Rio Tinto and Amazon Web Services Collaborate to Bring Low-Carbon Nuton Copper from Gunnison's Johnson Camp Mine to U.S. Data Centers
TMX Newsfile· 2026-01-15 11:00
Core Insights - Gunnison Copper Corp. has announced a strategic collaboration between Rio Tinto and Amazon Web Services (AWS), marking AWS as the first customer of Nuton® Technology following its successful industrial-scale deployment at Gunnison's Johnson Camp copper mine [1][2] Group 1: Collaboration and Technology - AWS will utilize the first Nuton copper produced in its U.S. data centers, while also providing cloud-based data and analytics to enhance the optimization of Nuton's bioleaching technology [2][3] - Nuton employs AWS platforms to simulate heap-leach performance and integrate advanced analytics, optimizing acid and water usage and improving copper recovery predictions [3][4] Group 2: Environmental and Economic Benefits - The Nuton bioleaching process yields 99.99% pure copper cathode at the mine gate, eliminating the need for traditional concentrators, smelters, and refineries, thus shortening the mine-to-market supply chain [5] - Nuton is expected to consume significantly less water and produce lower carbon emissions compared to conventional processing methods, while also recovering value from previously classified waste materials [5] Group 3: Statements from Executives - Rio Tinto's Copper Chief Executive emphasized the collaboration as a demonstration of how industrial innovation and cloud technology can produce cleaner, lower-carbon materials at scale [6] - Amazon's Chief Sustainability Officer highlighted the collaboration as a breakthrough in copper production that aligns with Amazon's goal to achieve net zero carbon by 2040 [6] - Gunnison Copper's CEO noted the significance of having Nuton copper used in AWS's data centers, reinforcing the importance of domestic production and innovation in strengthening U.S. supply chains [6] Group 4: Company Overview - Gunnison Copper Corp. is a multi-asset copper developer and producer, controlling the Cochise Mining District with 12 known deposits within an 8 km radius in the Southern Arizona Copper Belt [7] - The flagship Gunnison Copper Project has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of over 831.6 million tons with a total copper grade of 0.31%, and a preliminary economic assessment indicates an NPV of $1.3 billion and an IRR of 20.9% [8]