Copper will soon become the most critical of all critical minerals.

The Trump Administration rightly included copper in the minerals covered by the March 20th Executive Order “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.” This builds on the fact that the U.S. Department of Energy added copper to the critical minerals list in 2023, following similar moves by the European Union, China, and Canada. The attention given to copper underscores its essential role in economic and national security, energy technology, and consumer electronics. Copper has always been foundational to industrial growth due to its unmatched electrical conductivity, which makes it essential for moving electricity. While the global copper market is well-established and liquid, it would be a grave mistake for the U.S. or other nations to take it for granted. The time has come for policymakers to recognize copper's centrality to the technologies of the future and act to ensure its supply. The world needs dramatic increases in copper production given the following mega trends shaping 2025 and beyond:

1. AI and Data Centers Increasing the Need for Power Generation and Transmission

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers is reshaping global energy consumption patterns. Data centers alone are projected to consume as much as 8% of global electricity by 2030, driven by the exponential growth in data processing and storage demands. Copper, the backbone of electrical infrastructure, is indispensable for the power generation and transmission systems that support this growth. From high-voltage cables to energy-efficient transformers, copper enables the reliable and efficient movement of electricity. Data centers themselves require substantial amounts of copper for power supply, cooling systems, and internal connectivity. Without dramatic increases in copper production, the infrastructure needed to power the AI revolution will face significant constraints. Recent investments, such as the $20 billion announced by Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani for new U.S. data centers, underscore the scale of expansion underway and the critical role copper will play in this transformation.

2. Energy transition requires new renewable energy generation and EVs

The global shift towards renewable energy sources and electric vehicles (EVs) is significantly driving up copper demand. Renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar power, require more copper than traditional fossil fuel-based systems. For instance, solar and wind installations can use 2.5 to 7 times more copper than fossil fuel-based technologies. Electric vehicles also consume more copper than conventional vehicles, with an EV requiring about 53 kilograms of copper compared to a conventional vehicle's 22 kilograms. With EV sales expected to rise from 10 million in 2023 to over 40 million annually by 2030, the demand for copper is set to skyrocket. Furthermore, copper demand from the clean energy sector is projected to reach 61% of global demand by 2040. As the world races toward decarbonization, copper will be the material that connects clean energy to transportation networks, making its availability a make-or-break factor for the EV and energy transitions.

3. The Robot Revolution

The robot revolution promises to bring intelligent machines into middle-class households globally, a shift that will profoundly impact copper consumption. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has projected that robots will become as common as personal computers in the coming decades, with applications in homes, factories, and healthcare. Robots require power for movement, sensors, and computing, and their reliance on copper-rich components like electric motors, charging systems, and power distribution networks cannot be overstated. Magnets within robotic systems, for instance, depend on copper to conduct electricity efficiently and sustain their operations. As millions of robots enter homes, offices, and factories, the demand for copper will rise in parallel, underscoring the need for a stable and growing supply chain.

4. Demand Growth and supply challenges

Over the next decade, copper demand is projected to increase significantly. By 2050, global copper demand is expected to reach 50 million tonnes per year, up from about 30 million tonnes in 2021. This growth necessitates substantial investments in new mining projects. Estimates suggest that the world needs to develop six new large copper mines annually to meet the projected demand by 2050. The current supply challenges, including declining ore grades and geopolitical risks, underscore the urgency of addressing these needs through strategic investments and regulatory support.

The U.S. must act decisively to address the coming surge in copper demand. This is not just a challenge but an opportunity for public and private sectors to collaborate and drive investment into copper resources. Public-private partnerships can incentivize exploration, improve mining technologies, and establish refining capacity outside of China’s processing dominance. Unlike other critical minerals, copper offers the advantage of decentralized production, with deposits available across diverse geographies.

Global miners understand copper’s criticality; it is now time for policymakers to do the same. By prioritizing copper within broader critical mineral strategies, the U.S. and other nations can secure the raw material needed to power the future while maintaining energy security and industrial competitiveness. The question is not whether copper will be critical but whether we will act in time to meet the demand.