The Global Copper Industry: Territorial Shifts and Socio-Environmental Challenges in the 21st Century

Abstract

Objective: analyze the territorial shifts and the main socio-environmental challenges of the global copper industry in the 21st century, with emphasis on Latin America. Methodology: based on indicators from official sources, the statistical properties and spatiotemporal changes of the copper industry were represented through thematic maps, graphs and tables. Results: it is shown that Latin America is the extractive and supplier region of raw copper, while the smelting and refining of copper made a geographical turn from Western countries toward China. Limitations: this study does not review the alternatives to the identified problems. Value: a current, comprehensive and prospective overview of global copper production, consumption and reserves is established. Conclusions: territorial expansion and socio-environmental conflict are two problems of the copper industry that will be aggravated by the energy transition that, among other negative effects, increases the extractive and dependent profile of Latin America.