Why the future of electrification depends on how we mine, manage, and rethink copper.
As the global push for decarbonization accelerates, the spotlight often falls on wind turbines spinning gracefully on the horizon or sleek EVs gliding silently down the road. However, beneath the surface, literally and figuratively, lies one of the most critical enablers of this transformation: copper.
In The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives, journalist Ernest Scheyder unpacks the geopolitical, environmental, and societal battles shaping the energy transition. While lithium often dominates public discourse, copper is arguably the unsung hero of electrification. Its unmatched ability to conduct electricity, resist corrosion, and support large-scale infrastructure makes it essential for every piece of the clean energy puzzle.
Yet the very demand that has elevated copper to strategic prominence also exposes deep vulnerabilities, ones that could derail the energy transition if not addressed with urgency, care, and innovation.
The Silent Workhorse of the Green Revolution
From EVs and renewable energy systems to transmission lines and data centers, copper is everywhere. Indeed, it’s estimated that EVs require two to four times more copper than internal combustion engine vehicles, as it’s used in motors, batteries, inverters, wiring, and charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, solar panels and wind turbines rely on copper for inverters, grounding wires, and cabling. Even the energy grid itself, the circulatory system of the clean energy economy, depends heavily on copper.
According to industry forecasts, global copper demand is expected to double by 2035. However, this demand surge is outpacing the industry’s ability to produce and supply copper sustainably.
Mining the Gap of Abundance vs. Accessibility
One of the paradoxes highlighted in The War Below is that while copper is not rare geologically, mining and refining it is becoming more difficult, and more controversial.
Many of the largest known copper reserves are located in regions with political instability or environmental fragility. Latin America, for instance, is home to some of the richest copper deposits on Earth. Indeed, Chile and Peru alone account for nearly 40% of global copper production. However, local resistance, shifting regulatory landscapes, and social unrest are complicating long-term investments and delaying critical projects.
In the U.S., efforts to increase domestic copper production have been slowed by legal challenges and pushback from environmental groups and Indigenous communities. Even projects deemed vital for national security face hurdles, illustrating the tensions between sustainability goals and on-the-ground realities.
Environmental and Social Trade-Offs
Copper mining is water and energy-intensive, and ecologically disruptive. Extracting and processing copper ore often results in habitat destruction, soil erosion, water contamination, and toxic waste, particularly when large-scale open-pit methods are used.
In many mining regions, surrounding communities face serious risks including contaminated groundwater, air pollution, and long-term health concerns. In response, local opposition is growing, not out of resistance to progress, but out of necessity to protect the environment and cultural heritage. Scheyder underscores this conflict: we cannot build a greener world by repeating the extractive, harmful practices of the past. The clean energy transition must be just, equitable, and accountable.
Geopolitical Competition for Control
Copper is no longer just a commodity, it’s a geopolitical lever. Nations that control access to copper have increasing influence in the global energy economy. China, for example, has invested heavily in overseas mining and refining operations, securing long-term supply while building dominance in battery materials and clean tech infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and European nations are scrambling to de-risk their supply chains, launching strategic resource initiatives and funding domestic mining projects. However, political gridlock, permitting delays, and fragmented policies create a lag between intent and impact.This race for copper has profound implications for energy security, global diplomacy, trade relations, and environmental standards. The question is no longer “can we mine copper?”, it’s “how, where, and at what cost?”
Recycling and Innovation: A Smarter Path Forward
Given the mounting challenges around primary copper production, attention is shifting toward smarter alternatives, particularly recycling and materials innovation. Indeed, recycling copper requires significantly less energy and results in far fewer emissions than primary extraction. Fortunately, copper is infinitely recyclable without degrading its performance. Yet today, only around one-third of copper supply comes from recycled sources.
Boosting this number requires better infrastructure for collection, separation, and reuse, especially in EVs, electronics, and construction. This would also call for policies and incentives that treat recycled copper as a first-class input, not a second-tier byproduct.
In parallel, new extraction technologies and manufacturing approaches are being developed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize environmental harm. From bioleaching techniques to cleaner smelting methods, the industry is slowly evolving, but scale and speed remain challenges.
Scheyder argues that building a circular economy around metals like copper isn’t just an ecological imperative, it’s a strategic advantage. Rethinking how we produce, use, and recover copper could be one of the most effective levers in ensuring the long-term viability of the energy transition.
The Role of Innovation in the Battery Industry
Copper’s role is especially pivotal in the battery sector. As battery technologies evolve to support higher energy densities, faster charging, and lighter weight, the structural and conductive properties of copper are being pushed to new limits.
Innovations such as Addionics Smart 3D Current Collectors, which re-engineer the internal architecture of batteries to improve conductivity, reduce weight, and extend lifespan, are helping address these technical demands. These designs optimize copper usage, making batteries more efficient and more material-conscious.
Such innovations represent a dual benefit of advancing performance while reducing dependence on bulk copper inputs. Indeed, in a world where every kilogram counts, especially in sectors like electric aviation and long-range EVs, this kind of design-led efficiency is a game-changer.
A Balanced Future Built on Copper
The future of electrification will be built on copper, but the way we source, manage, and innovate around it will determine whether that future is truly sustainable.
As The War Below reveals, copper sits at the intersection of opportunity and risk. The metal is a bridge to a cleaner future, but also a mirror reflecting the unresolved tensions of our past. To succeed, we need more and better copper that is ethically sourced, efficiently used, and intelligently recycled.
In the coming decades, copper may power our lives, but how we treat it will define the kind of world we live in.
Addionics: Using Less Copper for a Smarter, More Sustainable Battery
As The War Below powerfully illustrates, the global race for critical materials like copper is forcing us to rethink how we design, source, and scale clean technologies. At Addionics, we believe the future lies not just in mining more, but in using less, more intelligently. Our Smart 3D Current Collectors are engineered to reduce the amount of copper needed in batteries without compromising performance. By optimizing the internal structure and conductivity of the current collector, we enable lighter, more energy-dense batteries that are better suited for high-demand applications, from EVs to electric aviation. In doing so, we’re not just improving battery performance, we’re helping ease pressure on critical copper supply chains and advancing a more efficient, responsible path forward.
Find out more about Addionics’ technology or contact us for more information.
