Overview

• PwC forecasts that 32% of global semiconductor production will rely on copper supplies at drought risk by 2035, rising to 58% by 2050 in a worst-case scenario.
• Copper extraction demands about 1,600 litres of water to yield just 19kg of metal, highlighting the material’s extreme water intensity.
• The global chip industry is on track to reach a value of US$1 trillion by 2030, increasing the economic stakes of any supply disruption.
• Chile stands out as the only major copper producer already facing significant drought stress, while other supplier nations lag in implementing mitigation measures.
• The report calls on semiconductor makers and copper miners to strengthen resilience through desalination, improved water efficiency and supplier diversification.