8 Jan 2026
We talk about chips, we talk about data, but we’re forgetting the "Red Metal" that powers it all.
S&P Global just released a report that should be a wake-up call for every tech leader and policymaker: The world is facing a 10 million tonne copper deficit by 2040.
That isn't just a "shortage"—it’s a systemic risk to the global economy.
Why the sudden surge? 📈
We are witnessing a "Perfect Storm" of demand:
The AI Revolution: Data centers aren't just about code; they are massive physical infrastructures. Copper demand for AI and robotics is set to more than double by 2040.
The Energy Transition: You can't have an EV or a green grid without copper. It is the "Great Enabler" of electrification.
Geopolitical Stakes: Access to copper is now a national security issue. If you don't have the metal, you can't build the future.
The Supply Reality Check 🛠️
The numbers are sobering:
Demand is jumping from 28mn tonnes to 42mn tonnes.
Mine production is expected to peak in 2030 and then decline.
New mines take years (sometimes decades) to bring online.
The "Bottleneck" Warning ⚠️
As Daniel Yergin, Vice-chair of S&P Global, puts it: “At stake is whether copper remains an enabler of progress or becomes a bottleneck to growth and innovation.”
With prices already surging from $8,000 to over $13,000 per tonne, the cost of building the future just got a lot more expensive.
The big question for the industry: Will we see a massive pivot to copper recycling and new mining tech, or will the "Green Transition" and "AI Boom" stall out due to a lack of raw materials?
Source: FT
