Copper investment needed to ensure supply.

A copper deficit is set to hit trade and the energy transition hard by the end of the decade, according to Rystad Energy. Global demand for the pink metal will outstrip supply by more than six million tonnes by 2030, unless investment in mining is substantially increased. The shortfall threatens to dent the move to renewables and particularly the growth of electric vehicles manufacturing as there is currently no substitute for copper in electrical applications, Rystad said. The analyst projects a 16 percent rise in copper demand to reach 25.5 million tonnes per annum (tpa) by 2030. This contrasts with its supply forecast showing a 12 percent decrease over 2021 levels. "Estimates based on current and expected projects show...