Steven Enders: The World Doesn’t Have Enough Copper

Copper sits at the center of the global economy—but according to veteran mining executive Steven Enders, the industry simply can't produce enough of it to meet future demand.

Speaking with Maggie Lake at the 2026 Rick Rule Symposium, Enders explains why the world's pipeline of copper projects falls well short of what's needed through 2050, why AI and new technology won't magically solve the problem, and why successful mining projects depend far more on people than geology.

Drawing on decades of experience evaluating mining companies, Enders also shares what investors should look for in management teams, why many project cost estimates prove overly optimistic, and where government support for critical minerals is beginning to improve.