AI Data Center Demand Sends Copper Near Record as Sulfuric Acid Shortage Bites

Global industrial minerals markets are being shaken by rising artificial intelligence infrastructure demand and geopolitical uncertainty. On May 13 local time, July copper futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange’s COMEX closed at $6.60 per pound. That was slightly below the previous day’s record high of $6.64, but prices remained strong. Copper, often called “Dr. Copper” because it is viewed as a leading indicator of the global economy, has recently risen mainly on demand tied to AI infrastructure. Supply has not kept pace, while China’s sulfuric acid export ban has added further price pressure. Sulfuric acid is a key raw material for copper smelting. Lithium, essential for green power infrastructure and energy storage systems, has also climbed to about three times its low. Source: rss.donga.com