Nuton will continue to test the application of its copper heap-leach related technology to the primary sulphide component of the Cactus Mine and Parks/Salyer projects through column leaching and scoping out capital and operating costs and design parameters. (Photo: Arizona Sonoran)
Arizona Sonoran Copper Co. Inc. entered into a one-year exclusivity period with Nuton, a Rio Tinto venture. The exclusivity was triggered by successfully modelling the Cactus and Parks/Salyer ore samples and achieving the previously contemplated indicative metallurgical recoveries of at least 72% (copper recovery to cathode), under the investor rights agreement. Nuton will continue to test the application of its copper heap-leach-related technology for the primary sulphide component of the Cactus mine and Parks/Salyer projects through column leaching and scoping out capital and operating costs and design parameters.
“The Nuton preliminary work results indicate optionality for unlocking the substantial primary resource at Cactus, which is currently stranded at the bottom of the pit,” Arizona Sonoran President and CEO George Ogilvie said. “Although we are in the early stages of testing chalcopyrite recoverability on an economic basis, we are encouraged by the initial results and the significant potential to continue building scale at Cactus and potentially at Parks/Salyer in the longer term.”
The preliminary metallurgical testing program covered ore sample selection, preparation and mineralogical characterization to produce CFD modelling results providing early-stage indicative recoveries in respect of various ore types and specifically the chalcopyrite ore at Cactus. Further test work under way covers test column leaching and scoping out capital and operating costs and design parameters.
Nuton is an innovative new venture that aims to help grow Rio Tinto’s copper business. At the core of Nuton is a portfolio of proprietary copper leach related technologies and capability — a product of almost 30 years of research and development. The Nuton technologies offer the potential to economically unlock known low-grade copper sulphide resources, copper bearing waste and tailings, and achieve higher copper recoveries on oxide and transitional material, allowing for a significantly increased copper production outcome.
