Gunnison Copper Corp (TSX:GCU, OTCQB:GCUMF) earlier this week updated investors on operational progress at the Johnson Camp mine, where it is restarting copper production through both traditional and advanced leaching technologies.
The company said it has begun leaching oxide ore at the Arizona site, with the aim of producing the first copper cathode by September.
Senior vice president of operations Robert Winton explained the process includes a curing phase using sulfuric acid followed by rinsing to generate a copper-rich solution. The solution is processed on site to produce copper cathode with five-nines purity.
Winton noted that construction of the Nuton sulfide processing infrastructure is in its final stages, with commissioning expected within the next two months. The Nuton technology, developed by Rio Tinto, will enable leaching of sulfide ores — a process that is scheduled to begin by December.
“By end of year, we'll be producing copper both from a traditional oxide heap leach as well as the new technology that Nuton is demonstrating at the Gunnison site,” Winton said.
The company also highlighted that the site has gone more than 11 years without a lost time accident. A new management team has been assembled, and 30 staff have been hired in Gunnison as the project ramps up.
First sales are expected to be shipped to Texas, although the company said details are still being finalized.