Global mining giant Rio Tinto and cloud services leader Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a strategic partnership to introduce low-carbon Nuton® copper into AWS’s U.S. data center infrastructure. Under this agreement, AWS will be the first customer to use Rio Tinto’s Nuton copper, which is specifically designed for wiring and electrical components in data centers.
What is Nuton® Copper?
Nuton® technology is an innovative bioleaching process developed by Rio Tinto, which uses naturally occurring microorganisms to extract copper from sulfide ores.
- The process produces 99.99% pure copper cathode.
- It eliminates the need for traditional smelting and refining, which are energy-intensive and produce high carbon emissions.
- Nuton copper can be produced closer to consumption points, shortening the supply chain and improving efficiency.
Industry experts note that Nuton copper currently has one of the lowest carbon footprints among primary copper produced globally.
Benefits of Low-Carbon Nuton Copper
- Environmental Impact: Nuton copper drastically reduces carbon emissions compared to conventional copper production.
- Water Efficiency: The bioleaching process consumes significantly less water.
- Sustainable Data Centers: AWS can lower the embodied carbon in its data center construction.
- Local Production: The copper will be sourced from Rio Tinto’s Johnson Camp Mine in Arizona, USA, one of the lowest-carbon copper producers in the country.
AWS’s Role
AWS is not only a first customer but also a strategic partner in the project:
- AWS will leverage cloud-based analytics and data tools to optimize Nuton copper production and supply.
- This initiative aligns with AWS’s sustainability goals, including reducing environmental impact across its global data center network.
Over the past years, AWS has already invested in renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind power, and the integration of Nuton copper further strengthens its low-carbon infrastructure strategy.
Industry and Market Implications
Experts believe this marks the first new U.S. copper production in over a decade, signaling a potential shift in supply chains for critical materials.
- The partnership provides large tech and data center customers with sustainable and low-carbon materials.
- It strengthens the U.S. supply chain for copper, which is essential for data centers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy grids.
- The collaboration may also encourage broader adoption of low-carbon materials in infrastructure and technology sectors globally.
Future Outlook
In the first phase, AWS will source copper from the Johnson Camp Mine. In subsequent phases, both companies plan to expand Nuton technology adoption for other projects and data center locations across the U.S.
Rio Tinto emphasizes that Nuton copper not only enhances sustainability but also improves efficiency across mining and production processes. For AWS, this step represents a milestone in building sustainable cloud infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
The Rio Tinto–AWS partnership is a landmark collaboration for the copper and tech industries:
- First commercial deployment of Nuton bioleached copper.
- Copper to be used in critical data center infrastructure.
- Significant reduction in carbon footprint and water usage.
- Supports AWS’s sustainability and tech innovation goals.
This initiative sets a new benchmark for sustainable materials in technology infrastructure, benefiting both the environment and the U.S. and global data center sectors.
Source: Riotinto news
