Crisis in the copper chain: innovation, geopolitics and Australia’s role

The global copper market is facing a supply-demand gap that analysts warn could be near impossible to close if production remains at its current levels.

US president Donald Trump ’s threatened tariffs are “rattling global prices” While Australia has no shortage of copper ore, the issue lies in accessing it.

With questions over how nations will meet copper demand without triggering instability.

A collaboration between UQ and start-up Banksia Minerals Processing ( BMP ) is developing a more environmentally friendly means of extracting copper from low-grade resources.

The process relies on hydrometallurgy (water rather than heat) to extract copper from the ore; dissolving, purifying and then recovering metals from liquid using electricity.

The method also addresses another issue plaguing copper miners - that of impurities.

The world must confront the widening gap between copper demand and supply.

As Cathles and Thurnau both emphasise, the solution won’t come from mining alone.

It will require strategic investment in human capital, realistic energy policies, and a willingness to adapt.

Without these, Western nations, including Australia , risk falling behind.