Copper in the spotlight: A supply crisis amid the technological revolution

The global economy is facing a serious test due to the shortage of copper needed for the development of artificial intelligence and renewable energy sources. According to experts, the mining industry faces an unprecedented task: over the next 18 years, it must increase copper production on a scale comparable to what has been produced over the past ten millennia.

Why copper is becoming a critical resource

The demand for this noble metal is growing exponentially, fueled by two powerful factors. On the one hand, the development of artificial intelligence systems requires a huge number of servers and infrastructure. On the other hand, the transition to clean energy involves large-scale electrification and the development of renewable energy networks. Copper, as an excellent conductor of electricity, is becoming an integral component of this entire technological transformation.

Scale of the Challenge: Why Current Production Volumes Are Not Enough

Robert Friedland, one of the leading experts in the field of mining, emphasizes the criticality of the situation. The task set before the industry has practically no historical analogues. It turns out that the mining sector will need to accelerate the process exponentially to meet the growing needs of the economy for this strategic resource.

Long-term consequences: Supercontinuum risk

There is a real danger that a shortage of copper will lead to the formation of a so-called supercontinuum – a state in which the price of this metal will soar to unprecedented levels. Such a scenario could seriously slow down the electrification of infrastructure, slow down the industrialization of developing regions, and jeopardize the implementation of ambitious plans for the transition to clean energy sources. The issue of ensuring a stable supply of copper is becoming not just an economic, but a strategic priority for the global system.