Excelsior Mining Corp. (TSX: MIN) has officially received the final permit required to restart operations at the Johnson Camp Mine (JCM), a copper mining site in southeastern Arizona. The company, which is set to produce domestically sourced copper, announced that it expects the first copper output in the first half of 2025.
The company’s latest permit, an amended Mined Land Reclamation Plan (MLRP), was approved by the State of Arizona. With this, all regulatory approvals—comprising the MLRP, Air Quality Permit (AQP), and Aquifer Protection Permit (APP)—are now in place, allowing operations at JCM to resume.
“This final permit is a key milestone bringing us one step closer to copper production at JCM,” said General Manager Robert Winton. “We believe the partnership with Nuton LLC for the first industrial-scale deployment of their sulfide leaching technology, combined with the oxide ore production, generates an exciting opportunity for both organizations and the wider copper industry.”
The Johnson Camp Mine is a historic site that previously operated as an open-pit, heap leach copper mine. It includes two open pits and a solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) plant, which has the capacity to produce 25 million pounds of cathode copper per year. Cathode copper is a high-purity form of copper used in various industrial and technological applications.
The restart is a result of a collaboration with Nuton LLC, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, which has been working with Excelsior Mining on deploying innovative sulfide leaching technology. The Nuton technology is expected to enhance the copper recovery process, complementing the oxide ore production.
A key aspect of the Johnson Camp Mine’s restart is the integration of Nuton’s proprietary sulfide leaching technology. Traditional copper mining operations often struggle to efficiently extract copper from sulfide ores, which are more complex to process than oxide ores. Nuton’s technology addresses this issue by improving copper recovery rates, making the mining process more efficient and potentially more environmentally sustainable.
The project has progressed to Stage 2, with Excelsior Mining estimating that full-scale copper production will commence in 2025, contributing to U.S. copper supply chains as demand for the metal continues to grow.
The restart of the Johnson Camp Mine comes at a time when copper prices are under pressure due to global economic uncertainty. However, demand for copper remains robust, driven by the ongoing transition to renewable energy and the electrification of transportation systems.
Copper is critical in the manufacturing of electronics, renewable energy technologies, and electric vehicles. The U.S. government has recently emphasized the importance of securing domestic sources of essential minerals, including copper, to reduce reliance on foreign imports. This push is part of broader efforts to bolster American supply chains and energy infrastructure, both of which rely heavily on copper.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), copper demand for electricity networks alone is projected to increase by 50% by 2040, as countries around the world ramp up efforts to meet climate goals.
In the U.S., the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and other green energy initiatives is expected to accelerate demand for domestic copper. Excelsior Mining’s focus on producing “Made in America” copper aligns with this goal, promising a domestic source of this vital material for various industries.
Excelsior Mining Corp. last traded at $0.18 on the TSX.
Information for this briefing was found via Sedar and the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
