sition.
However, these figures don’t give the total picture, because there is a key property of copper that also has to be taken into consideration, and which is likely to play a significant role in the energy transition …
Copper is highly recyclable
We are all used to the concept that metals can be recycled, but the trump card of copper is that it is one of the few materials that can be recycled repeatedly without loss of performance. There is also no difference in the quality of recycled copper (secondary production) and mined copper (primary production). Depending on market conditions, lower-grade coppers can even be upcycled to electrical conductivity applications, if entered back early enough in the production process.
The recycling of copper is also energy efficient - bulk copper applications require 85% less energy than primary production. The infrastructure is well in place too; during the last decade about half of the EU’s annual copper use came from recycled sources (and is increasing).
It is estimated that two-thirds of the 550 million tonnes of copper produced since 1900 are still in productive use . This enormous stock of copper, contained in its diverse range of end uses, is equivalent to around 30 years of mining production.
Copper is not cobalt or indium …
… nor is it tantalum, niobium or rare earths. These and up to 27 other elements have been denoted by the European Commission as critical raw materials, defined as metals whose availability is essential for high-technology, green or defence applications, but which are vulnerable to politically or economically driven fluctuations in supply.
The applications areas, supply market and mine to end-user pathways of these metals have undergone major changes in the past few decades. These have significantly affected their prices, or raised concerns about the future of advanced technologies that depend upon them.
Copper is not a critical metal, it never has been, and considering its resources and recyclability, is not likely to become one. It’s traded on the London and other Metal Exchanges, where its price is set on a daily basis through market mechanisms.
Moreover, copper reserves are well distributed in many regions of the world, hence are not dependent on any particular country or economy, whereas the reserves of many rare-earth elements are often located in a limited number of countries. This can lead to price volatility and issues surrounding security of supply.
Even with the increased demand for copper due to the energy transition, the resources of copper on this planet, coupled with its recyclability, clearly support the long-term availability of copper for current and forthcoming applications.
While every material has its challenges, copper is an established commodity with a firmly established value chain, including a well-organised recycling chain.
The sustainability of copper is good and is continually improving. It’s a driver of the circular economy and serves as recycling motivator due to its intrinsic value (economics driven) and the fact that it serves as carrier metal (e.g. for precious metals), which enables higher value recycling.
Is there enough copper for the energy transition? It certainly looks as if there is.
● History of copper use http://j.mp/CuHistory
● Long-term availability of copper http://j.mp/CuLTAv
● Copper & recycling http://j.mp/CuRecycling
● London Metal Exchange: https://www.lme.com/
 U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, February 2017
 U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2016