Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Global Copper Shortage Looms Amid Rising Demand
Copper is becoming very important because it is used in many growing industries like electric cars, renewable energy, and technology.
Prices have gone up a lot because there isn't enough supply to meet the demand.
Experts think this trend will continue, making copper a good investment.
However, there are some risks like changes in trade policies and supply chain issues that could affect prices.
Copper is different from gold and silver because its price is more about how much industry needs it rather than economic uncertainty.
The world might soon run out of copper because of the increasing demand from power plants and AI data centers.
It takes a lot of copper to make things like wind turbines, and mining more copper is becoming harder and more expensive.
Copper prices have risen nearly 40% in recent months due to strong industrial demand and supply constraints.
Global copper demand is expected to exceed supply by around 30% by 2035, driven by growth in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and technology sectors.
There are only about 700 active copper mines globally, and meeting future demand will require significant new mining projects.
Copper futures are currently consolidating, with the February contract trading near Rs 1,324 per kg.
Investors are increasingly viewing copper as a complementary asset to precious metals due to its industrial consumption-driven price dynamics.
- Who
- Investors, market participants, global mining majors, analysts, Economic Survey of India
- What
- Global copper shortage due to rising demand from power and AI sectors
- When
- Recent months, with future projections up to 2050
- Where
- Global economy, with focus on India's copper imports
- Why
- Structural fundamentals, industrial demand, supply constraints, and geopolitical factors
- Copper Price Increase
- 40% in recent months
- Global Copper Mines
- 700 active mines
- Projected Copper Demand by 2050
- 6 new large mines needed annually
- Copper Demand by 2035
- Expected to exceed supply by 30%
- Copper Futures (January Contract)
- Rs 1,275 per kg
- Copper Futures (February Contract)
- Rs 1,324 per kg
- January Futures Expiry
- Friday, January 30
- Copper Needed for 1 GW Wind Turbine
- 2,866 tonnes
- Ore Processing Ratio
- 167–200 tonnes of ore per tonne of copper
- Total Material Moved per GW of Wind Power
- 1–2 million tons
Sources
Copper steps into spotlight as gold, silver rally sparks valuation concerns; is it worth your money?
Top industrial and rare earth Metals ETFs to track in 2026
World will soon run short of copper due to power demand, AI data centres: Economic Survey
How Critical Minerals Are Anchoring India’s Rise to Global Power
