Published on June 4, 2026
The global market faces a significant copper shortage as demand is projected to surge by 50% by 2040. Factors driving this increase include the rise of electric vehicles and data centers. Simultaneously, current supply levels are expected to fall, creating a projected shortfall of 10 million metric tons, which has already pushed prices to record highs this year. In response to this urgent need, Charleston-based startup Red Metals is focusing on urban mining—extracting copper from discarded products rather than relying on depleted ore. Currently, only about half of the copper in existing products is recovered at their end of life. Jackson Switzer, the founder, emphasizes the inefficiency of the fragmented global supply chain that often sends recycled copper overseas for processing. Recent challenges in copper production from major mines worldwide have compounded the issue. Labor strikes, environmental disasters, and geopolitical tensions have exacerbated the supply crisis. With growing demand, especially from the electrification of transportation and data centers, the urgency to find new sources of copper is greater than ever. Red Metals aims to improve recycling processes and increase domestic supply. Their facility will leverage AI to efficiently sort and process copper from waste, creating cost-competitive copper rods. mining techniques, Red Metals could significantly alter the copper landscape, addressing both supply shortages and recycling inefficiencies while meeting the expanding market demand.
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