Thousands of metres beneath the ground, in extreme heat and deafening noise, lies one of the most valuable resources driving the global economy.
Deep inside Poland’s vast underground mines, copper and silver, now widely known as the “metals of the future", are being extracted to power everything from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems.
“These are indispensable,” said geologist Ariel Wojciuszkiewicz, pointing to their role in electronics, clean energy and modern technology.
Often referred to as “red gold”, copper has become a key indicator of global economic activity. As demand surges from the artificial intelligence, renewable energy and defence sectors, its importance continues to grow.
Poland has positioned itself as a major supplier. The country accounts for up to half of Europe’s copper production, while KGHM, its state-backed mining group, ranks among the world’s top producers.
The company is also the world’s second-largest silver producer and was ranked eighth globally in copper output last year, producing around 710,000 tonnes of copper and more than 1,300 tonnes of silver.
Inside the Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine, operations run continuously. Tunnels stretch for hundreds of kilometres, while heavy machinery grinds through rock in a 24-hour cycle.
The extracted ore is transported to facilities such as the Glogow smelter, where it is processed at temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Celsius. The result is copper refined to 99.99 per cent purity, formed into plates weighing more than 100 kilograms and shipped worldwide.
The scale of demand is rising rapidly. According to a United Nations report, global copper demand could increase by more than 40 per cent by 2040.
Meeting that demand will require significant investment up to 80 new mines and around $250 billion by 2030.
However, supply may struggle to keep pace. The International Energy Agency has warned that copper supply could fall short of demand by around 30 per cent as early as 2035.
The reason lies in its growing role in modern technology.
An electric car contains around 80 kilograms of copper, compared to just 20 kilograms in a conventional vehicle. Wind turbines require between four and ten tonnes of copper per megawatt, highlighting its importance in renewable energy infrastructure.
Silver also plays a critical role, particularly in electronics, solar panels and medical applications, while also serving as a financial asset and store of value.
The strategic importance of copper is now widely recognised. It has been placed on critical minerals lists by the European Union, the United States and China, reflecting its growing role in energy security and industrial policy.
Geopolitical tensions are already shaping the market. The United States has introduced tariffs on copper-related products, citing national security concerns.
At the same time, prices have surged. Copper rose more than 40 per cent in 2025 and reached a record high of $14,527 per tonne earlier this year. Despite global uncertainty, prices remain elevated at around $12,000 per tonne.
In this context, Poland’s mineral reserves are increasingly seen as a strategic asset for Europe, with estimates suggesting they could last for at least 40 years, excluding new discoveries.
However, the industry faces challenges. Mining requires significant water resources and is vulnerable to climate change and drought, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
For now, the race for copper continues deep beneath the surface, where the metals shaping the future of energy, technology and global power are being unearthed.
