Copper’s critical role in the global transition to clean energy is being touted in a new video from the Copper Development Association, which also is advocating for the U.S. Geological Survey to include the red metal on its Critical Minerals list.
The world will need more copper as it moves to reduce carbon emissions, the video notes. An electric car uses about 145 pounds of copper, up to three times that of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. Electric buses and other heavy vehicles use even more.
Copper is so important to the future of clean energy that it recently was included on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Critical Material list.
The growing demand for copper to meet future energy needs is a frequent topic of Freeport-McMoRan company leaders. Independent projections are that the demand for copper will double by 2035.
“The ability of the copper industry to meet this rising demand is a major challenge, and we are working very hard to increase our supplies as we look forward,” Freeport President and Director Kathleen Quirk said during a recent earnings call.
Freeport accounts for more than half of the U.S. mine production of copper and is the nation’s largest producer and seller of copper rod.
In addition to the video, the Copper Development Association partnered with Zero Emission Transportation Association to help draft a white paper on the importance of protecting and expanding the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, including copper.