Copper
About Copper
Copper is a highly conductive base metal fundamental to electrical infrastructure, renewable energy, and electrification. It is often called the metal of electrification due to its critical role in EVs, solar panels, wind turbines, and power grids. Growing demand from the energy transition is expected to create significant supply gaps in coming decades.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Cu
- Atomic Number
- 29
- Category
- Base Metal
- Criticality Level
- Medium
- Supply Risk
- Medium
- Top Producer
- Chile
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Copper In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Copper value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Copper across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Copper supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Copper is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Copper products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Copper.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Copper.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Copper, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Copper pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Copper value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Copper worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Copper.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.