Copper supply gap widens as demand outpaces current pipeline
Founders Factory analysis flagged a widening copper supply gap as demand rises to 42 million tonnes by 2040 from 28 million in 2025.
The IEA projected a 25% primary supply deficit by 2035 on the current pipeline; discovery-to-production averages 24 years for copper mines.
Falling ore grades below 0.6% from 1.8% in 1900 have raised costs, reduced recovery, and pressured project economics at major sulphide operations.
In-situ recovery, electrokinetic extraction, and bioleaching were cited as potential routes to unlock deep sulphide deposits with smaller surface footprints.
Tailings reprocessing was highlighted as a near-term lever; 282 billion tonnes of historic mine tailings were identified as a secondary copper source.
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