Copper, often overshadowed by rare earth minerals in discussions about critical resources for the green economy, may actually be more crucial than these elements. The demand for copper has surged over the past two decades due to its use in electronics, wiring, and plumbing, leading to a 75% increase in price since 2020. This surge is causing global shortages of this vital metal, with mines in Chile, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo struggling to meet demand while also grappling with environmental concerns.
The importance of copper cannot be understated as it accounts for around 90% of a finished circuit board used by companies like Thomas Instrumentation. While rare earth minerals are often associated with electronic components, they make up only a small fraction compared to the amount of copper on the board. The rising cost of copper has significantly increased production costs and supply chain disruptions for many businesses that rely heavily on this metal.
As countries shift towards renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, demand for copper is expected to continue growing at an unprecedented rate. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable mining practices and investment in new technologies to extract and recycle these valuable resources more efficiently. Failure to address these issues could lead to severe disruptions in global supply chains and hinder progress towards a greener, more efficient economy.
[Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/16/nx-s1-5327095/copper-rare-earth-minerals-mining-electronics) #forget #about #rare [Visit GhostAI](https://ghostai.pro/)
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