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General Cable announced that sales in terms of the volume of metals sold increased 6% y-o-y and 2% q-o-q, principally attributed to aluminium-based product shipments for use in aerial transmission projects in Brazil. Discounting the sales for Brazil's aerial transmission projects, growth in shipments to the country still increased by 9% q-o-q and 5% y-o-y. The company benefitted from Brazil and Venezuela's increased spending on electrical infrastructure, Chile's spending on construction and mining activities and also the release of industrial projects in Thailand. Volatility of metals prices contributed to some distributors and copper rod customers deferring purchases, particularly in Zambia and Chile. The company also reported stable demand from North America for electrical infrastructural projects, networking and OEM applications while Europe experienced a sequential rise in shipments of 4%, which was lower than expected due to difficult trading conditions in Southern Europe. However, European sales were buoyed by submarine and land based turnkey cable projects, which accounted for $600M.

In a report from the German non-ferrous metal association, reference is made to a long-term trend towards protectionist measures of resource-rich countries. Since 2008, the number of measures has increased from 100 to 858 in Jan 2017 (hence largely before President Trump's inauguration). Easing on trade appears not to be in sight.

Another one in a series of studies on this topic. This one predicts an 87,000% increase in the demand for battery materials which is not very helpful. Exponential extrapolation from a small basis over a long time horizon can basically come up with any growth figure. The logistic growth curve is a much better and proven model for technology transitions.

"Demand for cobalt, copper, lithium, cadmium, and rare earth elements needed for solar photovoltaics, batteries, electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, fuel cells, and nuclear reactors is set to explode in the coming years as countries around the world invest heavily in greening their economies".

Orginal source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/367/6473/30 (though (also behind a paywall) and http://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/50598. The latter mentions the 87000% figure referred to in the above comment.

'Green gentrification', the global equivalent for the terms 'energy poverty' and 'fair transition' in the EU. A genuine issue for broader society. The copper perspective: energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, electrical safety.

Another reference to electromagnetic issues. The term 'hazy' captures the issue well for a non-specialist public. Electromagnetic smog could be an alternative.