Massive Mining Deal Highlights Global Demand for Copper
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 10 2025
0mins
Source: WSJ
Copper's Role in Green Energy: Copper is essential for the transition to green energy, utilized in wind turbines, electric vehicles, and grid infrastructure.
Emerging Trends: The metal is also benefiting from new trends in artificial intelligence and increased military spending.
Major Merger in Mining: A proposed $53 billion merger between Anglo American and Teck Resources highlights the mining sector's focus on future copper demand.
Supply vs. Demand: While copper consumption has been rising, new supplies are not expected to meet the increasing demand.
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Analyst Views on BHP
Wall Street analysts forecast BHP stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 72.760
Low
49.50
Averages
56.50
High
68.00
Current: 72.760
Low
49.50
Averages
56.50
High
68.00
About BHP
BHP Group Limited is an Australia-based resources company. The Company is a producer of commodities, including iron ore, copper, nickel, potash and metallurgical (steelmaking) coal. It is focused on offering a range of resources, which provides copper for renewable energy; nickel for electric vehicles; potash for sustainable farming, and iron ore and metallurgical coal for the steel needed for global infrastructure and the energy transition. Its segments include Copper, Iron Ore, and Coal. Its Copper segment is engaged in mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, and gold. Its Iron Ore segment is engaged in mining of iron ore. Its Coal segment is engaged in mining of metallurgical coal and energy coal. The Company is also focused on operating Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill, and Carrapateena underground copper-gold mines in South Australia. Its operations are situated in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, rest of Asia, North America, South America, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Current Control of Critical Minerals: China controls 60% to 90% of the global critical mineral processing market, particularly in missile defense and energy infrastructure, which creates vulnerabilities for the US and its allies, compelling them to take action to ensure supply security.
- US Policy Shift: President Trump launched the $12 billion Project Vault to stockpile critical minerals, while Congress passed the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, marking a significant step in breaking China's control over mineral supply chains and expected to boost domestic mining and refining sectors.
- Surge in Copper Demand: Copper demand is projected to rise by 50% to 42 million metric tons by 2040, while supply is expected to decline by 7%, leading to a 10 million ton shortfall, particularly driven by emerging technologies like AI and electric vehicles, intensifying the demand for copper.
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- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The selected companies include junior exploration firms, geoscience organizations, and technology teams, emphasizing the intersection of geological insights, data, and emerging technologies, which is becoming central to mineral discovery.
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- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The selected companies include junior exploration firms, geoscience organizations, and technology teams, emphasizing the intersection of geological insights, data, and emerging technologies, which enhances the understanding of mineral systems and increases exploration success rates.
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