The world faces a critical choice: mine enough copper to power a global green energy transition, or build the infrastructure needed in developing countries, but likely not both. To simply maintain current levels of economic activity, approximately 1,100 million metric tons of copper must be mined by 2050 (1 metric ton equals 2,204.62 pounds). In this research spotlight from Michigan News, Adam Simon, a professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, explores the future of copper mining and the challenges ahead.
