Mining Companies Restart Idled Copper Mines to Fight Shortage
Global mining firms are reviving idled copper mines in Australia, Argentina, and Zambia to meet rising demand from data centers and the energy transition.
Sibanye-Stillwater, Glencore, and China Nonferrous Mining Corp are reviving idled copper mines globally to address a projected structural shortage of the industrial metal. This surge in demand is primarily driven by the expansion of data centers and the global energy transition.
Sibanye-Stillwater approved the restart of the Mt Lyell mine in Tasmania, allocating $340 million to reach an annual production of 26,000 tons by 2029. Glencore plans to revive the Alumbrera mine in Argentina by the second half of 2027, targeting 75,000 tons of production over four years. In Zambia, China Nonferrous Mining Corp has already restarted partial production at the Luanshya mine, aiming for 100,000 tons per year by 2030.
While these brownfield restarts are faster to implement than discovering new deposits, they face significant obstacles. Companies must contend with outdated infrastructure and strict environmental regulations. Political instability also remains a risk, as evidenced by the challenges facing the attempted reopening of the Panguna mine in Papua New Guinea.
