Excelsior Mining Gets Final Permit to Restart its Arizona Copper Mine

Excelsior Mining Corp., a leading mineral exploration and development company, has secured all necessary permits to resume operations at its Johnson Camp Mine (JCM ) in southeast Arizona. This significant milestone paves the way for the production of domestically sourced copper. This which is expected to bolster American supply chains.

Excelsior received the final approval for its amended Mined Land Reclamation Plan (MLRP) from the State of Arizona. Coupled with previously granted Air Quality Permit and Aquifer Protection Permit this green light signifies that all regulatory hurdles have been cleared for the mine's restart. The mine is expected to produce its first copper in H1 2025 and boasts a production capacity of 25 million pounds of cathode copper per year.

The company first began constructing The Johnson Camp Mine back in August 2024, for which they received an initial funding of $7.9 million by Nuton LLC. It was a former open pit which is being revitalized with the assistance of Nuton technology. 

Nuton LLC is a technological subsidiary of Rio Tinto International Holdings – the world’s second largest miners of metals and metalloids. Nuton is funding all operational and technological costs associated with the mining at the JCM mine using its Nuton heap leaching technologies.

"This final permit is a key milestone bringing us one step closer to copper production at JCM. 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," comments Robert Winton, Senior Vice President Operation & GM of Excelsior Mining. He adds, "Excelsior's local and state engagement continues to deliver opportunity in Southeastern Arizona." 

Excelsior Mining, which also owns the Gunnison Copper Deposit, the Peabody Sill and the Strong and Harris deposits in Cochise County, Arizona, is committed to contributing to the domestic copper market and strengthening American supply chains. The company's strategic focus on sustainable mining practices and technological innovation aligns with the growing demand for responsibly sourced metals.