New York | Jan 15 — GeokHub Mining giant Rio Tinto has agreed to supply copper to Amazon for use in the company’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence data centers, highlighting the intensifying global scramble for critical minerals driven by the AI boom.
Rio Tinto said on Thursday that copper produced from an Arizona mine using its proprietary Nuton leaching technology will be used by manufacturers building components for Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure.
The agreement underscores how the growth of artificial intelligence is reshaping demand across the global commodities market, particularly for copper — a metal essential for wiring, cables, circuit boards, and high-capacity power systems.
AI Boom Accelerates Copper Demand
Analysts estimate that global copper demand could rise by as much as 50% by 2040, largely fueled by AI-powered data centers, electric vehicles, and energy transition infrastructure. However, industry experts warn that supply growth may lag behind demand, increasing competition for long-term access to copper resources.
Under the two-year agreement, copper will be sourced from Rio Tinto’s Nuton leaching program at a mine owned by Gunnison Copper in Arizona. Financial terms and production volumes were not disclosed.
Innovative Mining Technology
The Nuton process uses naturally occurring bacteria that generate heat when applied to certain rock formations, enabling more efficient copper extraction from lower-grade ores.
Rio Tinto has spent more than three decades developing leaching technologies. The Nuton program is named after Isaac Newton, reflecting the company’s focus on scientific innovation in mining.
Leaching is already widely used in the United States. Freeport-McMoRan, the country’s largest copper producer, leached about 300 million pounds of copper last year and expects annual output to reach 800 million pounds by 2030.
Copper Prices Surge Amid Tight Supply
Copper prices have climbed above $13,000 per metric ton on the London Metal Exchange — up roughly 40% over the past year — as surging AI-driven demand collides with limited global supply.
Valued for its exceptional electrical conductivity, copper remains critical to power grids, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and the digital infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence.
Impact & Outlook
The Rio Tinto–Amazon agreement reflects a broader shift in which technology companies are increasingly seeking direct or secured access to raw materials. As AI infrastructure expands worldwide, competition for copper and other strategic minerals is expected to intensify further.
