BHP (BHP) Chief Executive Mike Henry said that copper supply is going to get tighter until the end of the decade, CNBC reported Thursday, citing an interview held at the Conference de Paris.
"All it took was a few disruptions at a few copper mines around the world to all of a sudden send the market into deficit, and to see copper prices reach record highs," Henry said, according to CNBC.
Henry said that by 2025, copper demand will be up 70% compared with now, but that it is becoming increasingly difficult to boost supply.
"Fewer mines are being found. The mines that are being found are oftentimes smaller, lower grade in tougher jurisdictions, and so it's hard to bring those mines on quickly," Henry told CNBC.
BHP did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)