RE:Copper facing multi year deficitDIFFICULTIES experienced by Northern Dynasty, a Canadian mining development firm, in permitting its proposed Pebble copper/gold mine in Alaska, a deposit that is considered one of the largest undeveloped resources globally, demonstrates why mining firms will struggle to meet the demand build over the next ten years. According to a report by Jefferies analysts, copper demand will significantly exceed supply from next year with deficits set to blossom over the next seven to eight years. The multi-year deficits will drive the price of copper inexorably upwards. Decarbonisation is a major factor in Jefferies assessment of increased copper demand. Copper plays a much greater role in the manufacture of renewable applications than in conventional fossil fuel power.