Nuton

Johnson Camp Mine

Introducing a new era of copper recovery

Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto venture, has partnered with Gunnison Copper Corp. to restart operations at Johnson Camp Mine in Arizona. The site is currently producing copper using Gunnison’s conventional leaching process. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in sustainable copper extraction, as Nuton prepares to deploy its proprietary technologies to process hard-to-leach ores.

The project will operate both Gunnison’s existing leaching method and Nuton™ Technologies in parallel, with Nuton expected to produce more than 5 million pounds of copper annually, beginning with its first copper output in late 2025.

Johnson Camp Mine

The mine, located approximately 65 miles east of Tucson, Arizona, is owned and operated by Gunnison Copper Corp.

The once-dormant site was previously operated as a heap leach facility with two open pits.

JCM’s site includes an SX-EW plant with an annual production capacity of 25 million pounds of copper cathode.

Gunnison Copper Corp’s broader mission is to enhance domestic copper production while minimizing environmental impact.

Our Progress

Our goal is to prove our technologies design, performance and delivery at industrial scale at Johnson Camp Mine. This initiative is a key part of Rio Tinto Copper’s growth strategy, representing a new path for industry innovation in technology and science.

“This is a significant moment for all of us at Nuton. At Johnson Camp Mine, 
we’re not just talking about the future of copper production – we’re making it happen. We’re seeing our technology truly come to life at an industrial scale, 
and it’s incredibly exciting to be part of a team that’s changing the 
future of copper innovation”

Antonio, Nuton Chief Operating Officer