Nuton is making a difference. This year, Nuton has been recognized by TIME as one of the 10 most influential companies in sustainability for 2026 — part of the inaugural TIME100 Companies: Industry Leaders list, spotlighting the companies shaping their sectors across 20 industries.
“This recognition is not about celebrating outcomes or milestones, but about acknowledging the purpose behind our work and the direction we are continuing to build toward” says Cecilia Perla, Vice President of Growth and Sustainability and acting CEO.
Nuton’s sustainability breakthrough in copper mining
This recognition follows a milestone year for Nuton. In December 2025, Nuton produced its first copper at industrial scale at the Johnson Camp Mine in Arizona, using proprietary bioleaching technology that integrates biology, chemistry, engineering and digital tools.
Anything that runs on electricity requires copper, and the world runs on electricity. Nuton’s mission is to provide the world with not just more copper, but better copper.
The results speak for themselves: up to 85% copper recovery, up to 80% less water use and up to 60% lower carbon emissions compared to conventional processing, with an expected mine-to-metal footprint of 0.82 kg CO₂-e/kg Cu, the lowest in the United States.
This is what Nuton was built to prove: that more copper, from more places, with radically less impact, is a reality. Nuton is proud to be recognized by TIME100 alongside the companies defining what sustainability looks like in practice, and even prouder of the work that earned it.
Another round of awards honors Nuton. This time, the 2025 Mining Technology Excellence Awards honor Nuton for three awards, underscoring its role in transforming the industry through sustainable mining practices.
“We are honored by this recognition, a testament to a hard-working and dedicated Nuton team,” says Adam Burley, Nuton Chief Executive Officer. This distinction arrives as Nuton achieves First Copper production from its industrial-scale deployment at the Johnson Camp Mine in Arizona, validating its decades of research. “Nuton brings together the spark of people, the intelligence of nature, and the power of technology to open new pathways for copper production.”
Innovation Award for bioleaching technology
The Innovation Award recognizes Nuton for its groundbreaking bioleaching technology, which significantly enhances copper recovery rates. Mining Technology adds, “This combination of advanced science and applied engineering not only matches but often surpasses the performance of traditional concentrator and leach technologies, solidifying Nuton’s position as a leader in mining innovation.”
Business Expansion Award for partnership and workforce growth
The Business Expansion Award honors Nuton for strategic partnerships across the Americas that facilitate rapid growth and access to new resources. The award profile notes, “The company’s impressive growth trajectory is evidenced by a tenfold increase in its workforce, expanding from just four to over 50 experts across engineering, technology, sustainability, and commercial functions.”
Environmental Stewardship Award for reduced emissions and water usage
The Environmental Stewardship Award celebrates Nuton for its low-impact processing methods that drastically reduce emissions and improve water efficiency. The feature observes, “This innovation not only minimizes the ecological footprint of mining operations but also addresses regulatory challenges associated with land permits for tailings and long-term waste management.”
In summary, these three wins reinforce Nuton’s impact on sustainable copper mining innovation. Nuton’s technology extends mine life and maximizes resource use by extracting value from ores that would otherwise be classified as waste, increasing yield and revenue at both new and existing mines. Its environmental performance is expected to exceed that of conventional copper processing technologies, with up to 80% less water use and up to 60% lower carbon emissions than the traditional concentrator route.
The Mining Technology Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the global mining industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies driving positive change and shaping the industry’s future.
The mining world just recognized a radical shift in copper production. Nuton earned Mining Magazine‘s 2025 Technology & Innovation Award, validating its pioneering bioleaching process and its immediate, positive impact on the copper sector’s environmental profile.
The award acknowledges Nuton’s superior performance, rapid on-site deployment, and advanced bioleaching technology. The award judges declare, “In a world of falling grades, a process that can make copper sulphides economically attractive is a massive achievement.”
In celebration of the Mining Award for Technology & Innovation award, Nuton CEO Adam Burley sat down with Mining Magazine’s Dominic Hale to discuss the evolution of copper production. Watch the full conversation below.
The annual Mining Magazine Awards recognize outstanding achievements, projects and technologies. They cover various categories such as Mineral Processing, Drill & Blast, Bulk Handling and Net Zero Achievement, honoring companies and individuals for their innovation, efficiency and safety advancements.