Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 6, GeologicAI has formed a strategic alliance with Edge Copper, formerly known as Plata Latina, to support the advancement of the mining company's newly acquired Zonia copper project in Arizona, United States.

The Zonia project is a copper-oxide SX-EW heap leach operation in Arizona’s Walnut Grove mining district.

This collaboration includes an investment from GeologicAI in Edge Copper and aligns with the technology firm's initiative to offer its expertise to a targeted group of junior copper exploration entities, enhancing discovery and project progression.

GeologicAI currently delivers its solutions to major international mining operators, including BHP, Rio Tinto, and Anglo American.

For the Zonia project—a historical copper-oxide SX-EW heap leach site situated approximately 160 miles from Phoenix in Arizona's established Walnut Grove mining area—GeologicAI will apply a comprehensive methodology. This encompasses a drill-hole spacing assessment to determine optimal intervals for inferred, indicated, and measured resource classifications, alongside drill-hole optimization evaluations to minimize expenses and improve reliability within condensed timelines.

Further efforts will involve remote core examination and immediate scanning processes, which lessen the requirement for on-site staff and expensive laboratory testing, while directing geometallurgical sampling and target identification for exploration.

Central to these activities is GeologicAI's primary service, Resource Exploration Strategies (RXS), which combines specialized analytics and instantaneous data gathering with sophisticated modeling in geology, resources, and geometallurgy to support the complete feasibility assessment.

Patrick Redmond, president of RXS at GeologicAI, described the partnership as: “a natural extension of our mission to bring high-confidence, highly informed decision-making into the earliest stages of critical mineral discovery”.

Edge Copper intends to elevate the Zonia project to production-ready condition over the next three to four years.

“There is a growing demand for copper and a clear supply gap,” said Gil Clausen, CEO of Edge Copper. “Unlocking high-quality resources more effectively is the key – and we are excited to help make that happen. We have been successful with many opportunities over the years, but Zonia stood out particularly given the geological fundamentals and strong upside.”

The transition to Edge Copper Corporation occurred on October 30, 2025, coinciding with the acquisition of the Zonia copper project from World Copper.

In July 2025, GeologicAI raised $44 million (C$60.3 million) in financing from investors including Blue Earth Capital, BHP Ventures, and Rio Tinto, aimed at bolstering AI applications in the identification and enhancement of essential minerals.

This partnership highlights the integration of artificial intelligence in resource evaluation, enabling more precise mapping of subsurface deposits and streamlined workflows. By leveraging RXS, Edge Copper can accelerate from initial surveys to detailed resource estimates, potentially shortening development cycles in a competitive landscape.

The Zonia site's established infrastructure, including prior leach pads and processing facilities, provides a solid base for reactivation. GeologicAI's remote tools will facilitate safer, cost-effective data collection, particularly in remote terrains, while ensuring compliance with environmental standards through targeted sampling.

Edge Copper's leadership views this as a pivotal step toward addressing global copper needs, driven by electrification and renewable energy demands. The project's oxide-rich ores suit efficient recovery methods, promising viable economics with current metal prices.

GeologicAI's investor backing reinforces its expansion into junior operators, fostering innovation in mineral supply chains. This approach not only optimizes capital allocation but also promotes sustainable practices, such as reduced drilling footprints to minimize surface disturbance.

As the collaboration unfolds, it exemplifies how technology partnerships can bridge exploration gaps, supporting domestic production in key regions like Arizona. With copper's role in clean energy transitions, initiatives like Zonia contribute to supply stability, benefiting industries from electronics to infrastructure. Overall, the alliance positions both firms to deliver value through data-driven insights, advancing responsible mining in an era of heightened resource scrutiny.