Copper prices touched their highest levels in two years, driven by expectations of increased demand for the metal in light of the shift towards clean energy.

On the other hand, a recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers casts a shadow of concern over the future of copper supplies. It indicates serious risks that climate change may pose to this vital sector.

The study pointed to a new dimension to the copper dilemma. It revealed that more than half of the world's copper mines will be in areas at risk of drought that are considered significant, high or severe, even under the optimistic 2050 low-emissions scenario.

Drought is one of the main climate change risks to copper supplies. In Zambia, for example, copper mines face severe electricity supply shortages due to drought ravaging hydroelectric plants. In Chile, water shortages have reduced copper production in recent years; This prompted the industry to invest in the use of seawater.

While demand forecasts point to higher copper prices in the short term, the PricewaterhouseCoopers study warns of long-term risks to supplies of this vital metal.

Climate change poses an increasing threat to the mining sector; This requires urgent action at a global level to mitigate these risks and ensure the stability of copper supplies in the future.

It is noteworthy that copper prices have risen significantly in recent months. To exceed $10,000 per metric ton for the first time in two years, and this rise is due to expectations of an imminent shortage in supply, amid the difficulty of mines meeting the increasing demand from strategic sectors such as the electric car industry, electricity network infrastructure, and data centers.