GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH DRIVES DEMAND
COPPER’S CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Infrastructure
Copper is the backbone of construction and urbanization. It is a critical metal for wire, plumbing and hardware and possesses the best electrical and thermal heat conductivity of any industrial metal.
Technology
Copper demand is expected to benefit from technology advances in communications, artificial intelligence applications, expanding connectivity through global infrastructure and public health initiatives.
Decarbonization
Copper is vital to energy efficiency. Global decarbonization is expected to drive intensity of copper use. For example, electric vehicles use up to four times more copper than internal combustion engines. By 2030, copper could support reduction of global carbon emissions by 16%.*
*Source: International Copper Association
Difficult to replicate
Copper is an extremely versatile metal. Copper’s physical attributes include superior electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, structural capability, efficient heat transfer and aesthetics.
Copper is antimicrobial
Copper has an inherent ability to kill a wide range of harmful microbes relatively rapidly – often within two hours or less – and with a high degree of efficiency.
Copper is traded on three commodity exchanges
Prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME), the New York Commodity Exchange (COMEX) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) generally reflect the worldwide balance of copper supply and demand, and can be volatile and cyclical.
Freeport-McMoRan is a long-time member of the International Copper Alliance.
For general information about copper or the mining industry, visit:
The Copper Development Association I https://www.copper.org
The National Mining Association I https://nma.org