RE: Pxc12 Jan 2026 16:50
Posted by Element1 on ARV …… I liked it!
“Copper MoonToday 07:28
HedgeEye research suggests a single large AI data centre uses between 5k and 50k tonnes of copper.
Small data centres use from 5k to 15kt ... So how many data centres are being built globally? Analysts project massive global expansion, with some expecting over 2,000 new data centers built by 2030.
The the mid point of 10-15kt and that's around 25mt of copper required just for data centres over the next 4-5 years.
Escondido the world's largest copper mine - by orders of magnitude - produces 1.4mt annually - it's like 2x bigger than the next top 10 mines (all about 0.5mt each) add up to around 6-7 mt per annum - production...
Global copper production was around 23 million metric tons (MT) in 2024, with Chile leading by far (5.3 MT, 23%)
Never mind the electricity gap... But what about the copper gap?
Planned hyper scale and global data centres alone will use circa 10-20% of global copper supply. What about everything else? EV - is the biggest rising demand , extending replacing ageing power grid networks, general construction wiring, military demand, developing world - ie virgin demand - in Africa, India and booming South East Asia
It's like trying to squeeze the contents of the Hoover dam through a garden hose.
We need to find and build another 5-8 Escondidas in the next 6 years.
OR / AND price has to rise a lot.“
Trek