Copper is the bedrock of national security, economic competitiveness and energy resilience. It is vital for manufacturing defense technologies, powering AI applications, and modernizing the electric grid. By 2030, the US is projected to need an estimated 1 million metric tons of copper just to power data centers. Despite facing a looming long-term copper shortage, the Department of Interior has yet to designate copper as a critical mineral.
The CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program launched the Copper Initiative to bring together independent analysis, dynamic events, and productive dialogues between government officials, private industry, and subject-matter experts to develop policy solutions to help the US meet future demand for this strategic mineral.
Establishing a robust and secure copper supply demands a comprehensive strategy. This involves resolving domestic permitting bottlenecks, forging strategic alliances with copper-rich regions globally, developing incentives to build production and refining capabilities, boosting mapping and exploration efforts, and facilitating access to capital. While it is a long-term endeavor, immediate action is essential.
