How the price of copper has evolved in the last 175 years

From the industrialization of the 19th century adn the world wars to the rise of China and the energy transition, the behavior of the price of copper has accompanied the main milestones in global economic history, according to Mining Visuals analysis.

The news. Known as “the metal with a PhD in Economics”, copper has been for more than a century a direct reflection of the great industrial, technological and geopolitical changes in the world. It is currently on the rise and reaching historic prices.

• According to Mining Visuals, it’s price evolution over the last 175 years summarizes key milestones in global economic history, from early industrialization to the current energy transition.
• See the graph:

Early industrialization and conflicts (1850-1900). In the second half of the 19th century, the advancement of industry and the expansion of electricity boosted the demand for copper.

• mining Visuals highlights a significant price rise in the 1860s, associated with the military use of the metal during conflicts such as the American Civil War.
• The period was also marked by episodes of strong volatility.
• Between 1887 and 1889, the so-called Secrétan syndicate attempted to monopolize the world supply.