Amazon Web Services (AWS) is partnering with Nuton Technologies to source copper for its data centers from a unique mine in Arizona. This copper won’t be extracted through conventional methods, but through bioleaching : a process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms to dissolve copper from low-grade ores.
Why This Matters: The AI Boom and Copper Demand
The surge in artificial intelligence (AI) is driving unprecedented demand for copper. This is because copper is essential in the production of semiconductors and the construction of the massive data centers that power AI. Traditional mining often struggles to keep pace with this demand, especially for low-grade ores that are too costly to process. Bioleaching offers a solution by making previously unviable mining sites productive again.
How Bioleaching Works
Nuton Technologies’ process uses bacteria to break down rock and extract copper, using less water and producing fewer carbon emissions than conventional methods. This means more copper can be harvested faster, potentially reviving closed mines rather than opening new, environmentally disruptive operations. In December 2023, Nuton produced its first copper cathode using bioleaching at the Johnson Camp Mine, the same site where Amazon will be sourcing the metal.
Amazon’s Role in Scaling the Technology
Amazon isn’t just buying the copper. AWS will provide “cloud-based data and analytics support” to optimize Nuton’s mining process. This suggests Amazon sees bioleaching as a potentially scalable solution for securing its supply chain, rather than a one-off deal.
The partnership shows Amazon is willing to invest in innovative, if unconventional, methods to meet its growing material needs. As AI continues to expand, expect more tech companies to explore similar strategies to ensure a stable supply of critical resources.
This move highlights how tech giants are increasingly involved in resource extraction, directly shaping the future of mining and supply chains.
