"Enough for 16 Million EVs"...China Discovers 1 Million Tons of Copper After 18 Years of Exploration

China Announces Major Progress in Anhui Mine Exploration
Enough to Supply 20 AI Data Centers
"High Overseas Dependence, But Great Domestic Potential"

One million tons of copper, considered a core resource in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), has been discovered in China.

Mining exploration site in Chating District, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province, China. Ministry of Natural Resources of China

On September 2, Yonhap News Agency, citing China's central broadcaster CCTV and the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong, reported that "China's Ministry of Natural Resources announced the previous day that major progress had been made in mining exploration in the Chating District, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province."

The Ministry of Natural Resources estimated that the potential copper reserves surpass the combined size of several large-scale mines holding over 500,000 tons each, and that the potential gold reserves exceed the combined amount found in more than ten gold mines of 20 tons or more. Based on this, SCMP explained that the site could contain more than 1 million tons of copper and over 200 tons of gold. The main ore body is approximately 1.2 kilometers in length and about 1.1 kilometers wide. It is a skarn deposit covered by volcanic rock, making it invisible from the surface, and the deeper ore bodies have not yet been fully explored, meaning that confirmed reserves may increase further as exploration continues.

Given that each electric vehicle requires around 60 kilograms of copper, 1 million tons would be enough for about 16 million electric vehicles. Considering that a single large-scale AI data center consumes 40,000–50,000 tons of copper, the amount discovered could supply more than 20 such centers. For context, the world’s largest copper mine, Chile’s Escondida, produces about 1.4 million tons annually, accounting for roughly 5% of the global production.

This discovery is the result of 18 years of investigation. The Anhui Provincial Department of Natural Resources began research in 2008, released a report in 2018, and exploration rights were acquired last October by Xijiang Yulong Copper Co. for 8.6 billion yuan (approximately 1.74 trillion won). Over a period of four months, the company drilled nearly 100,000 meters, which led to these findings.

Copper mineral chalcocite found at a drilling site. According to China's Ministry of Natural Resources

China faces huge industrial copper demand in its AI data centers, power grids, electric vehicles, and renewable energy sectors, but relies heavily on overseas procurement. Its raw material self-sufficiency rate remains below 30%, meaning over 70% of copper is imported. In 2025 alone, China is set to import 30.31 million tons of copper concentrate, making it the world’s largest importer. Commenting on these findings, Hu Xianqi, Director of the Department of Geology under the Ministry of Natural Resources, stated, "Currently, China’s copper demand is extremely high and a substantial proportion is met by foreign sources, but the potential for domestic exploration is also enormous."

Gold is also widely used in advanced electronic products, and as geopolitical uncertainties mount and confidence in the US dollar declines, central banks in many countries are increasing their gold reserves as a safe asset.

Previously, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast that by 2035, global copper supply may fall short of demand by 25%. Since the beginning of this year, copper prices have risen about 18%, and by 47% over the past year. As of the previous day on the London Metal Exchange (LME), copper was trading at USD 14,294 per ton (about 1.94 million won), while gold spot prices were around USD 4,430 per ounce (about 602,000 won).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.