Nuton
Applying Nuton™ Technologies at Yerington
Lion Copper & Gold is working closely with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto venture, to evaluate the commercial application of the Nuton™ technologies at Yerington. Through a structured earn-in agreement, and after investing $50M in staged investments, Nuton has the option to acquire an initial 65% interest in Lion’s Yerington assets—including Yerington, MacArthur, Wassuk, and Bear.
Nuton Investment Milestones
- $28M invested to date for Stage 1 and 2 work programs
- 2022: Completion of Scoping Studies (Stage 1).
- 2024: Completion of Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)
- 2025: Completion of Prefeasibility Study (PFS)
- Forthcoming Q4 2025: Stage 3 Investment Decision
- Learn more: The Project
Want to know more?
Contact us to learn how we’re applying the Nuton™ technologies at Yerington.
The Nuton™ Technologies
Sustainable Domestic Copper Production Through Advanced Bioleaching Technologies
Nuton aims to revolutionize copper processing and production with advanced bioleaching technologies that unlocks value from primary sulfide ores while significantly reducing environmental impact. By producing 99% pure copper cathode onsite, the Nuton™ technologies streamline market access and strengthen domestic supply chains.
To learn more about Nuton, visit https://nuton.tech/
How It Works
Unlike traditional flotation and smelting processes, the Nuton™ technologies utilize naturally occurring, specially adapted microorganisms in an elevated- temperature leaching process. This innovative approach enables high copper recoveries in difficult to leach ores, while lowering emissions, reducing water use, and eliminating the need for smelting.
Nuton™ technologies can be used for brownfield, greenfield, and legacy sites, making it an ideal solution for modern, responsible mining.
The Benefits
- Higher Copper Recovery: Unlocks up to 85% of copper from primary sulfide ores.
- Onsite Production: Produces 99% pure LME A-grade copper cathode, eliminating the need for offsite smelting.
- Lower Environmental Impact: Reduces water and energy usage, Co2 emissions, and waste.
- Faster, More Efficient Processing: Advanced bioleaching accelerates copper extraction from sulfide ores.
- Scalable & Cost Efficient: The technology aims to economically unlock value from multiple ores types in greenfields, brownfields, and closed sites.