AI BOOM TRIGGERS US COPPER SHORTAGE CRISIS

Copper is integral to data centers and power grids powering the AI economy. Yet US production has flatlined while global demand accelerates, creating a dependency on foreign sources at a moment when supply chains are under pressure. Arizona's Resolution mine, operated by Rio Tinto, exemplifies the challenge. The project sits atop significant untapped domestic reserves but faces regulatory hurdles and escalating costs that delay deployment. China dominates global copper processing, controlling much of the supply chain infrastructure. As competition for raw materials intensifies, the US confronts a fundamental question: can domestic mining restart quickly enough to meet AI-driven electricity demands? Experts point to permitting timelines and environmental compliance as primary obstacles. New mines typically require 5-10 years to reach production. Without intervention, copper constraints could become a bottleneck for data center expansion and grid modernization.