One-third (32%) of global semiconductor production could be at risk within a decade unless industry adapts to climate change, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report.
Copper’s superior ability to conduct electricity makes it a critical material in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, energy and electric vehicle production.
It also plays a critical role in the semiconductor industry, which is tipped to hit $1tn by 2030, primarily as a conductor of electricity within chips.
With the semiconductor industry ramping up production at unprecedented speeds, the need for copper is equally growing at an unprecedented rate.
The challenge is that supply is not keeping up with demand. The current copper mine project pipeline points to a 30% supply deficit by 2035.
This, as the PwC report finds, is compounded by climate change. Chile, where most copper mines are located, faces severe drought risk in the coming years because of climate change. A steady supply of water is...