Global copper production is under pressure as the Copper Study Group (CSG) lowered its 2025 mine supply growth projection from 2.3% to 1.4%. This revision comes in response to a series of disruptions across major mining operations worldwide.
Key incidents include flooding at Indonesia’s Grasberg mine, seismic complications at Kakula, and a fatal collapse at Chile’s El Teniente facility. These setbacks are expected to tighten refined production in 2026, potentially creating a shortfall of 150,000 metric tons.
Implications for crypto:
Copper’s role as a critical industrial and infrastructure metal links its market dynamics to broader economic pressures. Rising copper prices and constrained supply can exacerbate inflationary concerns, prompting investors to explore alternative stores of value, including cryptocurrencies, as a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty.
