Countries are scrambling to secure copper. Why?

Why did Japan just lend $466 million to Chile’s state copper mining company? The answer lies in the energy transition. Whether it’s solar farms, data centres or electric vehicles, tomorrow’s infrastructure relies on critical minerals. And none is more crucial than copper, which is used almost anywhere electricity is generated, transmitted or used. But with demand set to increase 40% by 2040 - and with the world on track to meet just 70% of that - nations are taking steps to shore up their copper supplies for the future.