Technology Metals
Why Copper Is a Critical Mineral
The following content is sponsored by the Copper Development Association
Why Copper is a Critical Mineral
Copper is critical for everything from the electrical grid to electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
But despite copperās indispensable role in the modern economy, it is not on the U.S. Critical Minerals list.
This infographic from the Copper Development Association shows what makes copper critical, and why it should be an officially designated Critical Mineral.
Copperās Role in the Economy
Besides clean energy technologies, several industries including construction, infrastructure, and defense use copper for its unique properties.
For example, copper is used in pipes and water service lines due to its resistance to corrosion and durable nature. As the Biden Administration plans to replace all of Americaās lead water pipes, copper pipes are the best long-term solution.
Copperās high electrical conductivity makes it the material of choice for electric wires and cables. Therefore, it is an important part of energy technologies like wind farms, solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and the grid. The demand for copper from these technologies is projected to grow over the next decade:
| Energy Technology | Annual Copper Demand Growth (2021-2035P) | Use of Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore wind | 23.3% | Undersea cables, generators, transformers |
| Battery storage | 21.8% | Transformers, wiring |
| Automotive* | 14.0% | Batteries, motors, charging infrastructure |
| Solar PV | 11.9% | Wiring, heat exchangers |
| Onshore wind | 9.8% | Cabling, transformers, substations |
| Electrical transmission | 7.2% | Transformers, cables, circuit breakers |
| Electrical distribution | 2.7% | Transformers, cables, circuit breakers |
*excludes internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Furthermore, policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will bolster copper demand through energy and infrastructure investments.
Given its vital role in numerous technologies, why is copper not on the U.S. Critical Minerals list?
Copper and the Critical Minerals List
The USGS defines a Critical Mineral as having three components, and copper meets each one:
- It is essential to economic and national security.
- It plays a key role in energy technology, defense, consumer electronics, and other applications.
- Its supply chain is vulnerable to disruption.
In addition, copper ore grades are falling globally, from an average of 2% in 1900 to 1% in 2000 and a projected 0.5% in 2030, according to BloombergNEF. As grades continue falling, copper mining could become less economical in certain regions, posing a risk to future supply.
The current USGS list of Critical Minerals, which does not include copper, is based on supply risk scores that use data from 2015 to 2018. According to an analysis by the Copper Development Association using the USGSā methodology, new data shows that copper meets the USGSā supply risk score cutoff for inclusion on the Critical Minerals list.
Despite not being on the official list, copper is beyond critical. Its inclusion on the official Critical Minerals list will allow for streamlined regulations and faster development of new supply sources.
The Copper Development Association (CDA) brings the value of copper and its alloys to society, to address the challenges of today and tomorrow. Click here to learn more about why copper should be an official critical mineral.
Misc
Charted: The End-of-Life Recycling Rates of Select Metals
End-of-life recycling rates measure the percentage of a material that is recovered at the end of its useful life, rather than being disposed of or incinerated.
Charted: The End-of-Life Recycling Rates of Select Metals
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on Apple or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
We visualize the end-of-life recycling rates (EOL-RR) of commonly used metals in the economy. Data is sourced from the International Energy Agency, last updated in 2021.
Tracking recycling rates helps manage resources better and make smarter policies, guiding efforts to cut down on waste.
Ranked: The End of Life Recycling Rates of Select Metals
Gold has an 86% recycling rate according to the latest available data. Per the Boston Consulting Group, one-third of total gold supply was met through recycling between 1995ā2014.
| Metal | End-of-life recycling rate (2021) | š Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 86% | š Jewelry / Electronics |
| Platinum/Palladium | 60% | š¬ Optical fibers / Dental fillings |
| Nickel | 60% | š Batteries / Turbine blades |
| Silver | 50% | š Jewelry / Mirrors |
| Copper | 46% | š Electrical wiring / Industrial equipment |
| Aluminum | 42% | āļø Aeroplane parts / Cans |
| Chromium | 34% | š½ļø Stainless steel / Leather tanning |
| Zinc | 33% | š Galvanizing metal / Making rubber |
| Cobalt | 32% | š Batteries / Turbine engines |
| Lithium | 0.5% | š Batteries / Pacemakers |
| REEs | 0.2% | š± Mobile phones / Hard drives |
Note: Figures are rounded.
Several factors can influence metal recycling rates. According to this International Resource Panel report, metals that are used in large quantities (steel) or have a high value (gold) tend to have higher recycling rates.
However, for materials used in small quantities in complex products (rare earth elements in electronics), recycling becomes far more challenging.
Finally, a metalās EOL-RR is strongly influenced by the least efficient link in the recycling chain, which is typically how it’s initially collected.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
If you enjoyed this post, check out Critical Materials: Where China, the EU, and the U.S. Overlap which shows how critical materials are classified within different jurisdictions.
Technology Metals
Mapped: Ukraine’s Mineral Resources
Ukraine claims to hold nearly $15 trillion worth of mineral resources.
Mapped: Ukraine’s Mineral Resources
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
An anticipated minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine was not signed today after a contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
The proposed Reconstruction Investment Fund references “deposits of minerals, hydrocarbons, oil, and gas”. Most notably, the Trump administration has shown interest in rare earth reservesāa group of 17 chemically similar elements critical to manufacturing high-tech products, including loudspeakers and computer hard drives.
The data for this graphic comes from the Ukrainian Geologic Survey.
Ukraineās Untapped Resource Potential
Ukraine claims to hold nearly $15 trillion worth of mineral resources, making it one of the most resource-rich nations in Europe. The country is home to the continentās largest reserves of lithium, titanium, and uranium.
- Titanium ā Used in aerospace and military applications
- Graphite ā Essential for battery production
- Lithium ā A key component of lithium-ion batteries
- Beryllium ā Vital for defense and telecommunications
- Rare Earth Elements ā Crucial for electronics, renewable energy, and defense industries
According to data from the Ukrainian geologic survey, Ukraine possesses 5% of the worldās mineral resources, including 23 of the 50 materials deemed critical by the U.S. government. These include:
| Element | Reserves (tonnes) | Global Production (%) | Reserves Global/Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 18,600,000 t | 4% | #5 |
| Manganese | 140,000,000 t | 1.6% | #4 |
| Iron | 6,500,000,000 t | 1.5% | #8 |
| Beryllium | 13,900 t | - | - |
| Lithium | Classified | - | #1 (Europe) |
| Titanium | Classified | 7% | #9 |
| Uranium | Classified | 2% | #1 (Europe) |
Geopolitical and Economic Implications
Access to Ukraineās resource wealth could strengthen U.S. supply chains and reduce reliance on China, which dominates rare earth processing. However, securing investment and ensuring stable extraction remains a challenge amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Learn More on the Voronoi AppĀ
If you enjoyed this topic, check out thisĀ graphicĀ that visualizes the top 10 donors to Ukraine between Jan 24, 2022, and July 31, 2023.
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