Without further investment, the ‘Big 13’ copper Majors’ output will decline to 7 Mt/a, or less than 25% of global output. The situation will become acute by 2040.
https://www.woodmac.com/news/opinion/build-or-buy-are-the-copper-majors-rising-to-the-growth-challenge/
Which is every reason why the copper kings need to reinvent themselves.
Adding more ( copper uses ) creates all the more need.
Playing second ( rate ) grouped amongst other battery metals,
is not leading.
Copper can... act the miracle metal.
Hydrogen cars
Hydogen transports
Hydrogen rail
Hydrogen gas ( heat ) home, business, manufacturing.
Hydrogen producing turbine electricity
If the copper majors introduced " hydrogen " in their repetriore,
they'd increase all the more copper shortage thus, spot copper
rises and inturn, bolsters the urgency to bring more mines online.
I feel, the exact opposite is happening.
Produce ( less ) to cause copper spot to rise.
This path, obstructs / impedes more mines coming online.
Versus - adding more copper uses, is exactly what's needed.
Hydrogen production using copper.
Is something - new, fresh, exciting.
South America copper kings should expand thier possibilities.
Hydrogen path would p'lace peesure on orher competing batt metals,
Whereas, copper kings could take a larger market share of,
ENERGY MARKETS
If the copper kings invested more - they gain more.
They just need the perfect reason to do so.
Copper Hydrogen, would do it.
Cheers....