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IEA Warns of 30% Copper Supply Shortfall by 2035 as Mineral Demand Soars

High market concentration and China's refining dominance amplify risks of supply disruptions, urging governments to act swiftly on diversification and recycling.

Overview

  • The International Energy Agency projects a 30% global copper supply shortfall by 2035 without immediate intervention.
  • China processes over 70% of the world's top 20 critical minerals, intensifying vulnerabilities in global supply chains.
  • The concentration of refined material markets is expected to remain high, with the top three suppliers controlling 82% of the market by 2035.
  • Lithium demand is forecasted to outpace supply by the 2030s, though prospects for new lithium projects are more favorable than for copper.
  • The IEA calls for urgent government policies to diversify supply, accelerate new projects, enhance recycling efforts, and explore material substitutes to mitigate risks.