Copper

they are running out of copper

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This beginning of the year has shaken the foundations of the global economy. Between the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States and unprecedented geopolitical volatility, copper—one of the key minerals for the energy future—has climbed to an all-time high, exceeding $13,000 per ton. This escalation is not a passing fluctuation. As Bloomberg detailswe are facing a “perfect storm” where a severe adjustment in supply combined with an unbridled risk appetite. The market has entered a phase of backwardation (where the immediate price is higher than the future), a technical signal that, according to analysts, points to a real and desperate physical shortage. Data centers: the black hole of metal. While construction and energy have always been the pillars of copper consumption, artificial intelligence has changed the scale of the problem. According to an analysis by businessman Frank Holmesa conventional data center consumes between 5,000 and 15,000 tons of metal. However, a “hyperscale” center—necessary to train AI models—can require up to 50,000 tons per facility. In addition, it highlights an uncomfortable reality for 2030, a year in which data centers could devour more than half a million tons of copper annually. Here lies the big problem, since the demand for technology is absolutely inelastic. As Holmes explainsthe silicon giants don’t care if copper costs $10,000 or $20,000 because the metal represents less than 0.5% of the total cost of an AI project. They will pay whatever it takes, emptying warehouses and leaving the rest of the industries (construction, appliances, motor) without supply. An offer that falls apart. While demand flies, production is in crisis. According to a Financial Times reportthe price has risen almost a third since October driven by disruptions at key mines such as the Grasberg complex in Indonesia. Added to this is the Mantoverde strike in Chile, which has been the final trigger. Although it only contributes 0.5% of world production, its gradual closure has reminded the market that there are no longer safety “mattresses.” The situation is structural. As Reuters has pointed outhe breakeven to develop new mines already exceeds 13,000 dollars per ton. Without record prices, there is no incentive to dig. Citi analysts estimate a deficit of 308,000 tons for this year, while ING Group projects that by 2026 the gap will reach 600,000 tons. The geopolitics of the “bottleneck”. The world board shows a dangerous fracture. China has played a master card because it only has 4% of the world’s reserves, but controls 49% of global refining. Beijing is buying concentrates from Chile and scrap from the US to process them and return them to the market as finished products. Whoever controls refining will control the technological transition. On the other side, Donald Trump’s administration has introduced chaos with tariffs. According to Bloombergfear of imminent liens has led to a “disjointed inventory.” US warehouses are at record levels with 450,000 tons, while stocks on the London and Shanghai stock exchanges have plummeted by more than 55%. copper is in the wrong place for the rest of the world. The “Venezuela Effect”. The recent capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces added a layer of geopolitical uncertainty. Although Trump’s attention has focused on oilthe CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) wonders if Venezuela it’s a goal of critical minerals. The country has potential reserves of gold, coltan and bauxite. However, as the expert Luisa Palacios explainsthe Venezuelan mining sector is devastated by illegality and lack of investment. CSIS warns thatDespite current US control, the “legal overload” of past expropriations and the state of the infrastructure will prevent Western capital from rebuilding the industry immediately. However, for the copper market, the seizure of Venezuela is the definitive message: Washington has moved on to direct action and is willing to ensure by force the supply of strategic resources. A decades-old problem. The industry faces to an insurmountable physical reality. The average time to start up a new copper mine is 17 to 19 years, so there is no quick fix that can respond to the exponential growth of AI in the next two years. Given this, companies are looking for alternatives. Glencore and Schneider Electric are driving the “circularity of copper” through recycling. For its part, the International Energy Agency suggests using aluminum for less critical applications, although its efficiency is lower. Other attempts are more exotic, such as data centers under the sea that tests China or the facilities in underground caves to save cooling, although the need for copper cables remains the same. The return to matter The paradox of our era is total. In the century of quantum computing, the fate of the global economy depends on the ability of miners in Chile or Indonesia to extract metal from increasingly poorer rocks. The “cloud”, however ethereal it may seem, is tethered to the earth by a copper wire. As the Benchmark analyst points outAlbert Mackenzie, it is possible that speculation has inflated prices, but the underlying trend is unquestionable. Without copper, the green transition stops and artificial intelligence is left without a “body”. The digital future, ultimately, remains analog and reddish. Image | Unsplash and Unsplash Xataka | The price of copper reached highs due to a tariff that was not. The result: the biggest drop in almost 40 years

China has been hoarding copper for months. And the rest of the world are dedicating ourselves to look

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After the Rare earthChina has made copper its new geopolitical weapon. It only produces 4% of world reserves, but already controls 49% of the world refining and is buying raw materials at an industrial scale. Why is it important. More than accumulating raw materials, China is building an intentional bottleneck in the most strategic metal supply chain of the 21st century. Copper is indispensable for AI data centers, electric cars, solar panels and electrical networks. Who controls your refining will control the technological transition worldwide. In figures. The numbers are overwhelming: This mathematics is only possible to buy into mass abroad: import minerals from Chile and Peru, and junk of the United States. Then he processes everything in its low -cost melters. The general panoramic. The Chinese strategy shows sophistication that goes far beyond commercial opportunism. He has created a refining infrastructure distributed throughout the country (Jiangxi, Anhui, Guangxi, Shandong, Jiangsu) that can process any type of copper mineral at prices that no competitor can match. USA is exporting concentrates and scrap metalbut it does not have that refining capacity. Instead, China imports them, processes and turns finished products. Between the lines. He Timing This accumulation is not accidental. It coincides with the escalation of commercial tensions with the United States and the strategic approach to Afghanistan, which has large copper deposits. For China, controlling copper refining is an insurance policy in the face of a possible naval block of its commercial routes with Chile, Peru and Australia. Afghanistan thus becomes its only safe terrestrial source of copper. Yes, but. This strategy has a hidden cost that is already being manifested. Chinese foundations operate with negative margins due to the scarcity of copper ore and excess refining capacity. Some have already closed or suspended operations. The Syomine company has paralyzed its Namibia plantGlencore closed its foundry of the Philippines. China is paying a high economic price to maintain its dominant position. At stake. The commercial war is spreading to copper. Mexico has imposed 50% tariffs on Chinese products After Trump’s pressures, and China has threatened with reprisals. Mexico contributes 5% of Chinese copper mineral imports. If China cuts these imports, Southern Copper and the entire Mexican sector will suffer. But China needs each ton of available mineral. The money trail. Investors They have put 2.3 billion dollars in copper funds this year45% more than in 2024. They recognize the obvious: there is scarcity and China controls the refining tap. Accumulating copper is also a financial commitment in a deficit market. China has played a master letter. He turned his lack of own deposits in industrial domain: controls the refining, the link that adds the most value. But it has an Achilles heel that is to depend on importing minerals from countries that can become enemies. It is the dilemma of power in a fractured world: you need those who can betray you. In Xataka | Baidu is no longer satisfied with being the Chinese Google. His new AI model also wants to turn it into China Openai Outstanding image | Joanna Kosinska

The “Battle of Copper” of the US unleasies a historical collapse in the markets

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Julio was a month of vertigo in metal markets. The only threat of a 50% tariff to copper imports in the United States announced at the beginning of the month by Donald Trump, fired prices in New York and unleashed a counterreloj race of traders that filled ports and copper stores before the deadline of August 1. An unexpected turn. Hours before the term, the White House decided that the tax would not cover all copper, but only to pipes, cables and electrical components. As Financial Times has detailedkey products such as minerals, concentrated, cathodes and scrap metal were excluded. Besides, According to Reutersthe encumbrances would not accumulate with those already in force on cars. The result was immediate: a collapse of between 17% and 22% in copper futures in the Comex bag, As the Wall Street Journal has reported. It was the greatest daily fall since 1987. The blow is significant. As Financial Times explainedThe United States depends on imports for about half of its refined copper consumption and only has two foundations: Freeport-Mcmarran and Rio Tinto. Therefore, the measure protects manufacturers who use copper (electronics, plumbing, wiring), but does not stimulate the mining industry or domestic refining, historically limited. Besides, From Wall Street Journal They recalled that building new foundations costs more than 5,000 million dollars and has been in the current presidency for more than 5,000 million, which remains incentive to local investment. “A national security problem.” Thus I justify Donald Trump the measure. According to Reuters, The decision is framed in a wave of simultaneous tariff ads against India, Brazil and South Korea, as well as in the end of the exemption known as minimis for low value packages. According to analysts cited by The Guardianthe shock in the tariff policy of copper suggests that someone in the presidential environment convinced Trump that the US economy could not bear such a wide tariff. The market interpreted it as an “Epic Backflip”, that is, a political gesture that sought to show commercial firmness, without hitting American manufacturing. At the global level? In the short term, the most visible result will be an inventory overload in the US. Since Trump announced the possible tariff in July, the country received more than 550,000 tons of copper, According to Kpler firm data cited by Reuters. Only a fraction of these shipments managed to reach American soil before August 1. This opens the possibility that part of that copper is re -exported, although analysts such as Macquarie calculate that the market would need at least nine months of internal consumption to absorb it. For Goldman Sachs, the scenario of a possible refined copper rate in 2027 will avoid extreme differences between US prices and international. In parallel, Bloomberg He has highlighted that attempts to obtain exemptions from strategic partners such as the European Union, Chile or South Korea failed to stop the measure, which raises commercial tensions in the metal sector. The forecasts are not reassuring. The current tension is inserted in a much more complex background trend. According to the latest report by the International Energy Agencycopper could face a 30% supply deficit by 2035, due to the fall in the mineral law, the shortage of new deposits and long development terms (17 years on average for a new mine). The demand, on the other hand, continues to grow: 3% in 2024, driven by electrical networks, electric vehicles and data centers. IEA has pointed out that solutions go through accelerating permits, fostering recycling and exploring partial substitutes such as aluminum in non -critical applications. The immediate future of copper. As Tom Price, Analyst of Panmure Liberum, has sentenced, To The Guardian: “The markets are now resetting the price of refined copper after the epic Trump posture change.” The episode leaves a warning: copper, key mineral for energy and digital transition, has become a raw material as political as strategic. With an upward demand and an increasingly compromised supply, the decisions that today affect its trade will mark, to a large extent, the energy future of the planet. Image | Pexels Xataka | In full obsession with rare earths, a fairly common metal has jeopardized the green transition: Copper foul

In his attempt to fly through the airs the global supply chain, the US has a new obsession: copper

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After a few weeks of relative tranquility, the US administration is again climbing the C tensions in its commercial war with China. Trump has announced a new 50% tariff for copper imports. A key step to torpedo China’s strategy, who currently leads its refining and casting processes. Tightening the nuts. The president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Tuesday The imposition of a new 50% tariff to all copper imported to the United States. It is unknown for the moment when the measure will enter into force, but this points to a key material not only for the semiconductor industry: copper is crucial for sectors such as transport, energy or construction. The US position. Unlike his war declared to China with the Rare earthThe United States is one of the largest copper producers in the world. He currently occupies fifth place, although his main problem is a very concrete: consumes much more than it produces. Much of the copper it uses arrives as refined cathodes from Asia, especially from China. The goal. The United States not only seeks to protect its national industry. It aims to change the roles in this value chain: Encourage that copper refines within the US Reduce dependence on Chinese Foundions Press Latin America to export copper without going through China. Although Latin America Head the list of copper producers (Chile currently dominates primary mine production with more than 20% global position), dominating refining capacity is a central role in the supply chain. The reactions. The price of copper in the United States has reached its historical maximum in the national market After Trump’s statements, even with doubts about how it will apply and what will be the possible exceptions. The impact. The 50% tariff on copper imports would have a remarkable impact on key industries. Semiconductors: copper is, along with other critical metals such as scandio, disposium or bismuth, a fundamental material for the chips industry. A few milligrams per chip are key to its manufacture. Automotion: The electric vehicle needs much more copper for its manufacture (motor, battery, wiring). Electrical networks: transformers, substations, cables. Consumer electronics Construction Although Trump wants to obtain control over the supply chain, the measure can be shot in the foot. The United States does not have enough capacity to produce and refine all the copper it needs. The doubts. Although Trump has announced that the copper tariff will reach 50%, it has not detailed whether the measures will affect the entire refined copper, or certain products dependent on this material. They are not known to the measure, or date of entry into force. Be that as it may, The war for the domain of metals It will be crucial to control commercial tensions. China’s dominant position on rare earths It puts the United States in a delicate situation, which is trying to face attacking materials as concrete as copper. In Xataka | In 1978 Chinese engineers visited two key US companies. On his return an empire began: the rare earths

In full obsession with rare earths, a fairly common metal has jeopardized the green transition: Copper foul

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The latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on minerals has confirmed which He had been discussed for a long time: Today, the absolute leader is China. It is no novelty, but among all minerals there is one that runs a particular danger, and not precisely because of geopolitical control, but for the real risk of shortage. There is a problem with copper. Of all minerals, copper emerges as one of the biggest challenges. The IEA report He has warned That by 2035 there could be a supply deficit of 30 %, due to the drop in the mineral law, the lack of new discoveries and the high development costs. A set of problems. It can be explained in a very simple way In data: Only in 2024, copper demand grew 3%, mainly driven by investments in electrical networks in China. The growth of mining production has been modest, much lower than other minerals such as lithium or nickel. Further 70% of global capacity Copper processing is in the hands of China. 7% of global copper production is in regions vulnerable to floods and droughts. Is there any solution? According to Fatih Birol, director of the IEA, the challenge is serious but not inevitable. In statements to The Guardianthe need to accelerate permits and reduce bureaucratic obstacles, in addition to implementing public policies that provide guarantees of volume and fiscal incentives, is stressed. Another line of action that They have detailed It is international diversification and cooperation. Some countries have advanced technological abilities and refining experience; Others have abundant mineral resources and great geological potential. In this way, in the report They have underlined That establishing balanced alliances between both realities could unlock new productive capacities, reduce market concentration and strengthen the resilience of the entire supply chain. There are other methods. A complementary route that already begins to take shape is the recycling of copper. As the pressure on primary resources increases, recovering and reusing infrastructure metal and disused devices is outlined as another strategy. In addition, in certain non -critical applications, the partial replacement of copper is studied by other materials, Like aluminum either The Ruthenium. It’s not just about copper. The case of copper reflects a broader pattern: more than 50% of critical minerals are now subject to export restrictions. This includes from lithium to more unknown elements such as Gaul or Telurio. Chinese dominance in refining, higher than 70% in 19 of the 20 key mineralsmakes this country not only the largest producer, but the referee of the global energy future. Time is exhausted. And copper too. The paradox is clear: the more we want to move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, the more we depend on an infrastructure that we have not yet secured. Copper has become a silent bottleneck, difficult to replace and even more difficult to climb in record time. Image | Joyce Cory and Pexels Xataka | The collapse of the AVE of Seville has shown something more serious: how difficult it is to protect copper in a 15,000 km network

how difficult it is to protect copper in a 15,000 km network

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“You cannot monitor 24 hours 15,000 kilometers of network, but you will have to put more means.” The phrase left her yesterday during An interview In Antena3 the president of Renfe, Álvaro Fernández de Heredia, and is interesting for several reasons. First for what he says. Second, for how he says it. And third (and fundamental), when he says. The rail operator complaint comes after the bird line between Madrid and Sevilla lived chaotic hours on Sunday by the Cable theft of copper in several points of the layout. What happened is serious, but it reveals something more worrying: how difficult it is to shield a network thousands of kilometers. Collapse on the Madrid-Seville line. The bird line between Madrid and Seville (The dean of the Spanish high -speed network) did not go through its best moment on Sunday night and Monday morning. Delays Stakes arrested for hours. Collapsed stations. AND More than 16,000 passengers affected. Although the collapse coincided with An incident starring an Iryo train, both Adif as the Minister of Transportation, Óscar Puentethey did not take long to relate what happened to the theft of cable on the line. “A serious sabotage act”. Sunday night, with the bird line between Madrid and Seville still knocked out, Oscar Puente spoke already of a “serious sabotage act” and pointed specifically to the theft of cable at various points distributed within about 10 kilometers. The thefts were recorded in five different locations distributed among the PK 102+200 and 92+800in the province of Toledo. In total the thieves took 150 m of copper cable. Click on the image to go to Tweet. A booty of 300 euros. The big question that was bouncing on Sunday and has continued to do so yesterday and today is what is the reason behind what bridge closets “sabotage.” Copper It has been revalued coinciding With the tariff war unleashed by Trump, but a priori the metal stolen in the Toledo line is rather scarce. The Government delegation has made accounts and calculates that its value Barely reaches 300 eurosso it has suggested that the real objective was to “block the road.” “That cable, which has very little value, is optimal for primar service to the line,” ditch. Bridge insists on talking about “A coordinated action” perpetrated by someone who “knew what was going” while the issue of the political debate. The PP has even related to the “obvious deterioration” of public services and He has demanded an “audit of the entire network”. Beyond the political or research sand that It has already opened A court of Toledo, what happened in the bird line between Madrid and Seville raises a fundamental question: Is it so easy to steal on the network? It is not the first time that the rail network suffers a robbery or sabotage. In 2022 The Civil Guard stopped to a band that was dedicated to stealing copper in the bird line in Valladolid, Palencia and Burgos. In total it had been made with a boot of 185,000 euros. And years before, In 2015he had already arrested 28 people from a Madrid organization related to the theft of more than 30,000 m of rail cable in several communities. In that case it was estimated that their “blows” had cost about 840,000 euros. The Rodalies case. The above are only two examples that can be easily found in the newspaper library. There are moredistributed by different latitudes of the Spanish geography, and that not only affect the high speed network. Does Just a year Without going any further Catalonia suffered the theft of 40 meters of cable on the Rodalies network at 300 m from the Montcada-Bifurcació station. The incident in turn caused an over -teaching that ended up affecting the service. Yesterday Europa Press It echoed From a balance of the security forces that show that only in 2024 they registered 4,433 copper wiring and conductive materials, 87% more than a five years. In total, 987 people were arrested and investigated, double that in 2019. The balance is general and does not only relate the robberies that affect the rail network, but still gives an approximate idea of ​​how frequent these types of crimes and also how it has been able to affect them the price increase of copper. A great network, a great challenge. The key was given yesterday by Fernández de Heredia during Your interview In Antena3: Spain has a wide (very wide) railway network and that is at the same time a chance and a huge security challenge. The Adif and Adif Av enclos 15,519 kilometers of network, of which 9,984 are electrified and just over 3,700 high -speed connections of different types. And that is just the Railway Network owned by ADIF. To control them in 2021 the organism He tendered a contract of surveillance and security services for three years (from April 2022 to March 2025) that amounted to 210.8 million euros. But still the challenge of monitoring the entire network is considerable. The bridge itself He explained That the 150 meters of stolen cable over the weekend were taken out of difficult access areas, between forest and olive groves. “We will have to put more means”. “You cannot monitor 24 hours 15,000 kilometers of network, but more means will have to be put to avoid it because the disorder caused by these robberies to travelers is very high,” He insisted yesterday The president of Renfe. In the past and before terrorist threats the government came to use the army to monitor the lines, as happened In July 2005after the attacks suffered in London. Images | Nelso Silva (Flickr) and TRANSPORT MINISTRY (X) In Xataka | The US has been dreaming of its first high -speed train decades: the California project is being a real nightmare

The spill of a copper mine in Zambia

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In recent years, Zambia It has emerged as one of the greatest copper producers. As expected, China, who is one of LGreater importers of this elementhas invested in its mining, but a recent accident puts at risk the channel of the relationship between the two countries. Short. As reported AP newsa residue dam of the Chinese copper mine, Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, collapsed in northern Zambia, causing a massive spill of more than 50 million liters of acid on the Kafue River. Social and environmental tensions. This environmental disaster, added to damage to aquatic ecosystems and the possible expansion of pollution to the Zambeze River, has generated a growing concern for environmental impact, According to ZNBC. In addition, this situation has exacerbated the social tensions that already existed in Zambia regarding Chinese mining operations, particularly about the country’s working conditions and debt with Beijing, How has AP News indicated. China’s growing dominant role resistance in Zambia’s mining sector could trigger protests and disturbances similar to those occurred in 2018, when Kitwe citizens They rose against the unfair working conditions imposed by Chinese companies. Given the seriousness of the matter. According to has detailed An analysis by James Palmer for Foreign Policy, the Zambia government has begun to take action. The Nation has re -established an environmental bill, which had previously stagnated due to the pressure of mining interests. However, the government has been clear that the relationship with China remains crucial for the country’s economic future, and that the need for financing for large -scale projects remains a priority, such as the expansion of copper production. And what does China say? From the Asian country they have transferred their deep dismay of the disaster and urged the company to assume all responsibility, According to South China Morning Post. The response of the Asian giant, How does Palmer analyst indicatefocuses on minimizing repercussions by the State itself to maintain its influence on the Zambian government, which needs investments to achieve Its ambitious objective to triple copper production. An uncertain future. How SCMP saidalthough Chinese investments have been fundamental for the growth of the Zambian mining sector, the acid spill has revealed social and environmental risks inherent to this type of investments. Although Zambia continues to see China as a key partner for LA strong clientelism relationshipthe growing pressure of the opposition and social movements could force the government to reconsider some aspects of this relationship. United States following closely. In the end copper mining is a winning letter in strategic terms. The investment of 4,000 million dollars in the project of the Lobito corridor Last year demonstrates Washington’s intention to challenge China’s growing influence on the region. The growing internal pressure and international competition make the future of mining in Zambia even more uncertain. Image | Flickr Xataka | In its particular underground war with Europe, China has found a new weapon: to monopolize copper

The house that self -stated with its structure, copper and solar panels

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Origami is Japanese art to bend a role to create figures without using scissors or glue. Through the precision in the folds in a simple sheet it is possible to design unique structures. Following this millenary art, architect Adrian James has managed to design a copper house, giving rise to his house Copper Bottom. On a hill, the house is erected with geometric folds that combine aesthetics and functionality. This house not only defies conventional standards with their metallic structure and lining, but also embodies a vision of the possibility of living in a power plant. Short. The architect Adrian James has designed a house that combines a bold design with energy efficiency. In fact, Copper Bottom It generates more energy than it consumes. Together with his wife, Sarah Shekleton, They decided to leave their home In the Oxford center to build a house in a hill. In addition, as an architect, I wanted to demonstrate How an avant -garde design could integrate sustainability and comfort. How a power plant? Located near the city’s green belt, on a hill, you can see the architectural style both Romanesque and Gothic so characteristic of the city. However, this green house, which took 13 months to build, differs a lot of these styles and functionality. The architect sought energy efficiency so the roof of Copper Bottom It has 37 solar panels, a 20 kWh battery and a air heat pump. The infrastructure of the house is recycled copper, which helps to isolate the sun in summer and allows the passage of heat in winter, in addition, the shape of the house also fulfills a function, thanks to its angular shape it blocks the sun in summer and lets the light pass in winter, avoiding overheating without the need for air conditioning; With its bucket shape, optimize thermal insulation and reduce the waste of materials. Energy community and self -consumption. So far we have always talked about Self -consumption and Energy Community Like two antagonists, one thing or the other. However, the design proposed by the British architect makes both conjugate, since the electricity surplus generated by solar panels can be injected into the electricity grid, benefiting other consumers. It should be noted that in summer, the house generates more energy than it consumes, and the surplus is injected into the electricity grid, which even allows them to receive payments for it. Economic impact. The construction cost of the house was approximately 1.25 million pounds sterling (around 1.55 million euros), a budget that covered both the land and the building. A fairly high price if you have the 37 solar panels and the heat pump. However, this energy self -sufficiency translates into significant savings in electricity and heating invoices, which makes the initial investment more viable in the long term. However, if we have to talk about an investment recovery, it is estimated that carbon debt It will be amortized between 10 to 15 yearsa period that depends on the efficiency of energy systems and the amount of energy that is injected into the network. In addition, the house not only reduces operating costs but can also generate additional income by selling energy surplus to the electricity grid, offering a long -term tangible economic recovery. But isn’t it dangerous? According to The architectthe structure of Insulating panels and recycled copper make it resistant and lasting. In addition, copper is not corrode over time, which means that the house will not need maintenance in decades. Image | Adrian James Xataka | In full solar energy fever, someone is inventing jackets and umbrellas with perovskitas for self -consumption

Copper has reigned in the chips industry for decades. It already has an unbeatable substitute: Ruthenium

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Rare earth monopolize the prominence in the field of semiconductors and other industries since they began The tensions between the US and China. Gallic, Germanio and antimony do not belong to this group of exotic chemical elements, but they are also being used as exchange currency For these two great powers To assault yourself. Anyway, in the domain of integrated circuits there is a chemical element that is much more humble, but that is also essential. And it is not the essential silicon. It is copper. This transition metal is not one of the most abundant chemical elements on our planet, but it is not uncommon either. And fortunately, it is relatively simple to extract and process it. It stands out for its high electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity, as well as its ductility and corrosion resistance. These properties have caused it to be one of the essential elements in the manufacture of semiconductors for decades, but little by little an alternative is being made that seems to be called to unseat it. And it is really exotic. Ruthenium is making its way in the integrated circuit industry Before we investigate the properties of Ruthenium, it is good for us to know precisely what the chips manufacturers use the copper. And they use it first of all in the connections of the transistors within the integrated circuits. Copper links are responsible for transmitting electrical signals between some transistors and others, so their intervention is essential within the semiconductors. In fact, the electrical properties that I have highlighted in the previous paragraph are responsible for this metal having such a relevant role. However, its adoption was initially not simple. And it was not because copper can be filtered in silicon. This process is known as the diffusion of copper in silicon, and is similar to the electromigration of which We talk to you in this other article To explain why this last phenomenon represents a threat to our electronic devices. In any case, during the diffusion the copper atoms move and infiltrate the crystalline structure of the silicon, degrading it and conditioning its physicochemical properties. “Now I think the industry is probably considering ruthenium as the next great advance in interconnections beyond copper.” Fortunately, IBM found the solution to this problem in 1998. His researchers realized that it was possible copper infiltrate silicon. This strategy was so effective that the semiconductor industry adopted it and has maintained it so far. However, innovation makes its way, and Ruthenium, as I mentioned a few lines above, seems to be called to replace copper in connections between transistors. Jon Yu, the person in charge of the Newsletter The Asianometryhe has suggested very rightly During the conversation who has maintained with Ben Thompson, the author of the interesting publication Stratechery. “The entire industry followed the steps of IBM And copper had to be treated in an innovative way that has worked well for more than 20 years. Now I believe that the industry is probably considering ruthenium as the next great advance in interconnections beyond copper. “ Like copper, Ruthenium is a transition metal. The two properties that make it so interesting to occupy the place of copper within the integrated circuits are its high electrical conductivity and its excellent corrosion resistance. However, we cannot overlook something very important: Ruthenium is very scarce in the earth’s crust. Very scarce. Only 0.0000002% of the cortex of our planet is Ruthenium. The main reserves of this metal are found in South Africa, Russia, Zimbabue, Canada and the US. We will see if it is finally consolidated as one of the essential ingredients of The next generation of integrated circuits. If so, in all likelihood it will become another object of desire for the great powers. Image | TSMC More information | The Asianometry Newsletter In Xataka | The 2 Nm chips race will start in 2025. And it will be the most fierce of all

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