Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal has declared that the world is entering a “New Copper Age,” driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and electric mobility. According to Agarwal, copper—the essential conductor of electricity—will form the backbone of the technologies shaping the next phase of global industrialization.

Drawing upon history, Agarwal traced copper’s role back to ancient India, recalling how the Indus Valley Civilisation thrived during the original Copper Age nearly 6,000 years ago. “Copper has always been central to human progress,” he said, suggesting that just as the red metal fueled early human innovation, it will again power the digital and green transformation of modern economies.

Agarwal emphasized that India is well positioned to lead this global shift, highlighting its combination of skilled talent, resource base, and emerging technological capacity. He argued that the country’s growing mining and manufacturing capabilities, along with industrial policies promoting self-reliance, could turn India into a major global supplier of refined copper and related technologies.

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Meanwhile, copper markets reflected the optimism surrounding the metal’s prospects. On Monday, copper futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange rose 0.8 percent to Rs 1,015.35 per kilogram, buoyed by stronger spot demand and expectations of robust industrial consumption in the months ahead. Analysts say this surge underscores the metal’s central role in the global shift toward renewable energy and digital infrastructure.

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