The Documentary Podcast
The Documentary Podcast
BBC World Service
The copper kingdom
26 minutes Posted Jun 19, 2025 at 12:30 am.
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The world is electrifying, and central to our decarbonisation drive is copper. The red metal is second only to silver as the best conductor of electricity and it is critical in the manufacture of wind turbines, electric cars and solar panels. Reporter Robin Markwell travels through Chile, where the reserves of some of the world’s largest copper mines are starting to dwindle. Can supply keep pace with soaring demand?