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Highlights

  • Drill mobilization and testing underway to support upcoming pre-feasibility study
  • By-product revenue potential includes alluvial gravel and limestone already costed in prior assessments
  • Mineralized sorting and sulfide testing aim to reduce costs and extend project life

Gunnison Copper Corp. (TSX: GCU) has commenced a series of high-value-add (HVA) work programs at its Gunnison Copper Project in southeastern Arizona. These programs are designed to support the company’s upcoming pre-feasibility study (PFS) and assess multiple operational opportunities across the project.

One of the key initiatives involves evaluating potential by-product revenue streams. The project is expected to generate 759 million tons of alluvial gravel during its mine life, material already included in mining plans under the current Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The company believes that even a small portion of this material—if sold at $5 per ton—could generate substantial additional revenue without incurring significant processing costs.

Similarly, the site includes an estimated 85 million tons of limestone. If half of this volume were to be sold at $20 per ton, it could represent approximately $850 million in gross revenue. Like the gravel, this limestone is already factored into existing mining costs and would not require further processing.

Additional work includes optical mineral sorting of copper oxide material. Early testing suggests it may be possible to reduce the processing stream by removing high-acid-consuming waste, potentially lowering overall operating costs. A drill program targeting oxide zones in the Martin and Abrigo formations is underway to collect samples for further testing and sorting analysis.

The company is also initiating metallurgical studies on previously underexplored sulfide mineralization located at the bottom of the current open pit design. This investigation is supported by a partnership with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto venture evaluating its proprietary leaching technology for the site.

On the regulatory front, Gunnison plans to begin data collection required for permitting amendments. While the project is currently permitted for in-situ recovery, changes are needed to reflect future operational plans. The permitting process is state-run, with no federal oversight required.