The conversation around copper usually starts and ends with one question: where do we find more of it?
I think that's only half the problem.
According to the International Energy Agency, global copper demand is expected to grow by roughly 30% by 2040, yet bringing a new mine from discovery to production still takes more than 16 years on average. The industry is facing an efficiency challenge.
For decades, exploration has relied on experienced geologists interpreting enormous amounts of geological, geophysical and geochemical data. That expertise isn't going away, but the amount of information available today is becoming too large for traditional workflows alone. If AI can help geologists eliminate weaker targets earlier, prioritize better opportunities and reduce costly mistakes before drilling begins, the impact could extend far beyond saving time. It could improve how exploration decisions are made from the very beginning.
That's why I've found NRED's recent direction increasingly interesting. MetalCore focuses on making exploration more data-driven, while the EyeX technology brings AI into operational awareness through computer vision, drones and real-time monitoring. Add a new Chief Technology Officer with deep AI experience, and it starts looking like an attempt to build a modern exploration workflow from the ground up.
This does start to change the fundamentals of mining. You still need quality geology, successful drilling and years of execution before a mine ever exists. But if the industry's biggest constraint is time, then making better decisions earlier in the process could become one of the most valuable competitive advantages a mining company can have.
The world absolutely needs more copper, and I think it also needs a smarter way to find it.