copper
Newsletter
Copper recycling increases as demand soars
Copper manufacturers in Montreal are boosting recycling efforts to meet rising demand.
In short:
- Nexans mill in Montreal now produces copper rods with 14% recycled metal, aiming for 20%.
- The shift towards electrification to reduce greenhouse gases is driving up copper demand, projected to nearly double by 2035.
- Recycling copper reduces the need for new mining, lessening environmental impacts.
Key quote:
“We say to our customers: Your waste of today, your scrap of today is your energy of tomorrow, so bring back your scrap.”
— Christopher Guérin, CEO of Nexans
Why this matters:
Mining copper is an energy-intensive process that often results in substantial carbon emissions and environmental degradation. By recycling copper, manufacturers can diminish their reliance on mining, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural landscapes.
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Credit: Markus Spiske/Unsplash
Australia’s renewable energy aspirations face hurdles
Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy leader hinges on domestic innovation and overcoming fossil fuel dependency.
In short:
- Australian company SunDrive Solar has developed a method to replace silver with copper in solar cells, a cheaper and more abundant material.
- The government’s Future Made in Australia plan offers significant incentives for green industries but faces criticism for continued support of fossil fuels.
- Critics argue the dual support for fossil fuels and renewable energy sends mixed signals to investors and undermines the country's green ambitions.
Key quote:
“Silver is expensive, scarce and environmentally disastrous, and it limits how much solar can be rolled out around the world.”
— Maia Schweizer, chief commercial officer of SunDrive Solar
Why this matters:
For years, Australia has been one of the world’s leading coal exporters, with fossil fuels forming a backbone of its economy. However, the global shift towards sustainability, coupled with increasing climate change impacts, has spurred a push for a more robust renewable energy sector. From vast solar farms in the Outback to cutting-edge wind energy projects, Australia’s landscape is ripe for renewable energy development.
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Frontline communities launch hunger strike to protest plastics giant Formosa
Strikers are seeking justice for victims of a 2016 toxic spill in Vietnam, caused by the Taiwan-based company.
Newsletter
U.S. quest for minerals leads to a remote nation surrounded by adversaries
China dominates the flow of raw materials for climate-friendly technology. Now the U.S. is hatching a plan to find other sources.
Taco Witte/Flickr
Plan to mine ‘clean energy’ metals in Colombian Amazon splits communities
Libero Copper, a Canadian company, plans to mine copper, molybdenum and other metals in the richly biodiverse Andean-Amazon Piedmont, which has led to strong divisions within Indigenous and local communities.
Knowable Magazine Scienc/Flickr
Falling lithium prices are making electric cars more affordable
An unexpected decline in the price of an essential battery material, along with those of other commodities, is good news for buyers. But experts disagree on how long low prices will last.
mateo williford/Flickr
The EV mining rush could come to Montana’s mountains
A company announced it found the country’s highest-grade rare earth deposit in Montana.
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