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PwC: Climate Change Impacts Copper Supply

Release Time：2025-07-18

Information Source: Ministry of Natural Resources Global Geological and Mineral Information System

　　According to Mining Weekly citing Reuters, the business consulting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released a report on Tuesday stating that by 2035, about 32% of global semiconductor production may face copper supply disruptions related to climate change, which is four times the current risk level. The world's largest copper-producing country is already facing water shortages, leading to production slowdowns. By 2035, most of the 17 countries supplying raw materials for the chip industry will face drought risks, PwC said. The most recent chip shortage was caused by a surge in demand due to the pandemic, coinciding with factory shutdowns, which paralyzed the automotive industry and other production lines dependent on the chip sector. PwC project lead Glenn Burm cited data from the U.S. Department of Commerce in the report, stating, "This affects U.S. economic growth by 1 percentage point and causes a 2.4% loss in Germany." PwC indicated that mining companies from China, Australia, Peru, Brazil, the U.S., the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, and Mongolia will also be affected, and all global chip manufacturing regions will face risks. Copper is used to manufacture billions of tiny circuits in chips. Although alternatives are being researched, there is currently no product that matches its cost-effectiveness. PwC believes that if material innovation cannot adapt to climate change and affected countries cannot develop safer water supply systems, the risk will only increase over time. "By 2050, half of the copper supply in every country will be at risk—regardless of how fast the world reduces carbon emissions," the report states. Chile and Peru are taking measures to ensure water supply security by improving mining efficiency and building desalination plants. PwC considers this a model example, but it may not be feasible for countries without access to large amounts of seawater. PwC estimates that currently 25% of copper production in Chile faces production interruptions, rising to 75% within 10 years, and reaching 90%-100% by 2050.