Friedland Compares Copper to ’New Oil’ Amid Surging Clean Energy Demand
Veteran mining entrepreneur Robert Friedland has ignited industry discourse by framing copper as the ’new oil’ for modern miners. The Ivanhoe Mines founder’s analogy gains traction as copper demand hits record levels, driven by dual tailwinds from clean energy infrastructure and defense applications.
Global mining investment strategies are being rewritten as copper’s conductivity becomes indispensable for renewable energy systems. Friedland’s assessment reflects a fundamental shift: where oil once powered industrialization, copper now enables decarbonization. The metal’s critical role in wind turbines, solar panels, and EV charging networks mirrors petroleum’s historical dominance.