China industry ministry pushes copper use in 5G, electric vehicles

Water pipes are another key target for copper use, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said after holding a seminar on boosting copper consumption, also noting the metal's anti-bacterial qualities. China's industry ministry on Wednesday said the country's copper sector should focus on meeting the growing needs of emerging strategic areas such as 5G mobile networks, electric vehicles (EVs) and charging piles.

China, the world's top copper consumer, last year imported and produced record volumes of the metal widely used in power and construction, in a strong rebound from the coronavirus outbreak.

Water pipes are another key target for copper use, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said after holding a seminar on boosting copper consumption, also noting the metal's anti-bacterial qualities.

The ministry set no numerical consumption targets or time frames; consultancy CRU last year said demand for copper from EVs could account for 10% of total global demand in 2030.

The seminar was jointly hosted with the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association and attended by representatives of the International Copper Association, China Urban Water Association and state-run smelter China Copper.

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