Copper in the energy transition

Where is copper found ?

#2

Who produces it ?

COPPER

Market concentration: what do the figures tell us?

Metals in the energy transition

What risks is facing copper supply ?

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Where is copper found ?

Who produces it ?

COPPER

7 %

Russia

Russia

3,7 %

5,9 %

United States

6,4 %

UnitedStates

3 %

China

China 7,9 %

Kazakhstan

3,4 %

6,1 %

Mexico

Mexico

3,8 %

DRC

6,4 %

3,2 %

Indonesia

Peru

11,8 %

World reserves

10 %

Peru

Zambia

3,9 %

10 %

Australia

Australia

5 %

Chili

27,6 %

Main producing countries

23 %

Chili

Calculation based on: Shedd, K.B., (2020), “Mineral Commodity Summaries”, U.S. Geological Survey.

Market concentration: what do the figures tell us?

The HerfindahlHirschmann index (HHI) is a measure of the market concentration

1500 < HHI < 2500

1 224

HHI index - Copper production

HHI index - Copper reserves

881

moderately concentrated market

HHI index - Oil production

781

HHI > 2500

highly concentrated market

Calculation based on: Shedd, K.B., (2020), “Mineral Commodity Summaries”, U.S. Geological Survey.

Low concentration of the market

Les métaux dans la transition énergétique

What risks for 2050?

Geological risk

In 2050

78,3 % of cobalt resources known in 2010 would be extracted in a 4°C scenario

89,4 % of cobalt resources known in 2010 would be extracted in a more ambitious 2°C climate scenario

High pressure on cobalt resources in a 2°C scenario

Other risks

Economic: China controls almost 40 % of the refining activities

Geostrategic: China is reinforcing its presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America and securing its supplies

Environnemental: due to the decline in concentration of copper ore, its extraction is increasingly energy and water intensive

Social: the production generates numerous externalities (mining waste, landscape destruction)

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Metals in the energy transition

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7 minutes

Episode 2Copper

Podcast (in french)

Metals in the energy transition