Copper Is the New Gold in 2025? (feat. EVs, AI, Data Centers, Battery, and china)

What’s the metal that powers your phone, drives your EV, runs your data, and might just shape the future?
(Hint: It’s not gold. And it’s definitely not silver.)

Why is everyone—from Big Tech to Big Governments—scrambling for this reddish underdog?

If you think copper’s just for wires, think again. In 2025, it’s the quiet powerhouse no one saw coming… until now.

Shockingly Conductive, Surprisingly Valuable

1. Copper is the second-best metal in the world when it comes to conducting electricity.

2. Silver is number one—but it’s about 100 times more expensive, so copper is the go-to for almost everything electric.

3. In short, where there’s electricity, there’s copper. Literally.

4. While copper exists all over the world, Chile leads the pack. About one-third of global copper production comes from Chile, thanks to its rich and relatively easy-to-mine deposits.

5. But mining in Chile is no cakewalk anymore.

6. Remember the 2010 Chilean mine accident where 33 miners were trapped 2,300 feet underground? That shows just how deep we now have to dig to find copper.

7. The deeper we dig, the pricier it gets—yet the world keeps wanting more copper.

8. So, what’s driving this copper craze? Let’s dig into the top reasons.

EVs, AI, and Data—Copper’s Triple Power Play

9. First up: electric vehicles (EVs).

10. EVs use up to five times more copper than gas-powered cars. That’s a lot of wiring.

11. As EV sales surge, the need for copper wiring is revving up fast.

12. Even EV batteries use copper—especially in copper foil that goes inside the battery cells. Copper’s doing double duty here.

13. Next: data centers.

14. Building a data center? You’ll need a mountain of copper—roughly 27 tons per megawatt.

15. Data centers don’t just use copper in power cables. They gulp it down for heat exchangers, power strips, and electrical connectors. They’re copper-hungry beasts.

16. Microsoft’s data center in Chicago alone used over 2,000 tons of copper. That’s a metal feast.

17. Then there’s AI. As it grows, so does the number—and size—of data centers.

18. At the 2025 CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, everyone was talking about AI and the massive energy it demands.

19. Amazon exec Bill Vass said a new data center is popping up somewhere in the world every three days.

20. Bill Gates added that AI uses a shocking amount of power—and power is now the most important factor for data center profits.

21. About a third of the world’s 8,000 data centers are in the U.S., but global growth is booming too.

22. The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects data center energy use to double by 2026.

23. More data centers means more copper—it’s that simple.

Conflict, China, and Copper Control

24. And guess what? War eats copper, too.

25. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both sides are firing off artillery with copper-plated shells and bullets. Yes, even warfare drives up copper demand.

26. Meanwhile, China’s appetite for copper is massive—and growing.

27. China uses over half the world’s copper. So when China’s economy moves, copper prices follow.

28. The catch? China doesn’t have much copper of its own.

29. It only holds about 4% of global copper reserves.

30. So, China imports raw copper ore and smelts it at home—producing nearly half the world’s refined copper.

31. That’s why copper is now a strategic reserve material in China. They’re not playing around.

32. That means China is not only hoarding copper—but also securing foreign mines to stock up way beyond what they need today.

33. In its 2024 government meetings, China pushed for “high-quality development.” In 2025, it’s all about AI.

34. And here’s the link: EVs, solar panels, batteries, and AI all have one thing in common.

35. They’re copper-hungry. Seriously.

36. That’s one big reason copper prices have been climbing since the start of the year.

Recycle, Repeat—Copper Never Dies

37. Since mining is getting harder and yields are dropping, recycling copper is now a global priority.

38. Good news: copper is 100% recyclable.

39. Unlike some metals that lose quality during recycling, copper keeps its cool.

40. You can pull it from old computers or demolish a building and still get top-grade copper after refining.

41. Around the world, tons of copper scrap come from e-waste, construction leftovers, and old wiring.

42. But instead of being recycled locally, a lot of it gets scooped up by buyers—especially from China.

43. Chinese networks are well organized and buy up to hundreds of thoxwusands of tons of copper scrap each year, sometimes over 15% of a country’s total.

44. Some do it legally. Others? Not so much. Ever heard of “curtain shipping”? That’s when they hide copper behind other metals to dodge taxes.

45. Even with tighter customs enforcement, smuggling is still slipping through—and it’s not a small problem.

Global Grab for the Red Gold

46. While some countries are shipping out their copper scrap, others—like Japan and China—are locking down mining rights around the globe.

47. Japan has already secured stakes in five major copper mines in Chile, and they’re still shopping.

48. Mitsubishi dropped $2.2 billion into Chile’s Quebrada Blanca mine, taking a 40% stake and teaming up with Codelco since 2023.

49. That mine brought in over $500 million in profits in 2024 alone. That’s a quick return.

50. But mining isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s high risk, high reward. Big gains or big losses.

51. That’s where Japan’s JOGMEC steps in. They help cover losses and support companies with financing.

52. Sumitomo is also growing its copper footprint in Chile, with help from the Japanese government.

53. China? They’re going full throttle in Tibet.

54. Tibet is rich in copper, with huge, easy-to-mine reserves—like the Yulong mine.

55. Zijin Mining is pumping $2.4 billion into Yulong, aiming to extract 350,000 tons of copper ore per day. That’s massive.

56. Experts say by 2030, we could be short more than 21 million tons of copper.

57. So yeah, copper prices? Probably not going down anytime soon.

58. And since the U.S. is deeply tied into global supply chains—and China’s the biggest buyer—rising copper prices will hit everything from buildings and EVs to smartphones and solar panels.

When Copper Quietly Outshines the Classics

Copper isn’t just rising—it’s repositioning. With China steering its 2025 growth toward full-scale electrification and AI, copper demand isn’t trending—it’s accelerating. Sure, gold and silver get the glory at the Olympics, but in a smart portfolio, copper might just be the dark horse with real potential. Still, let’s stay grounded: gold and silver carry a different weight. They offer not just returns, but resilience—portfolio insurance with a shine. So while copper runs with the bulls, keep a little gold and silver on the bench. You’ll thank yourself when the wind shifts.