Mining Digital September 2021 | Page 93

SUPPLY CHAIN & OPERATIONS “ Instead of looking at immediate profits and financial stability , the ore supply industry follows a holistic approach ”

Because electric vehicles use more copper than vehicles with an Internal Combustion Engine , the industry was left with an option to enhance its supply capabilities only if it had gone as per the plan .
However , the COVID-19 spread and the lockdowns that followed the pandemic had disrupted this seemingly effortless plan . During the same time , companies have found it necessary to cut down their carbon footprint . Therefore , moving materials from one region to another using fossil fuel-based transportation methods does not seem practical . Similarly , importing materials from China , which has invested heavily in and profited from ores , seems equally problematic .
Even when keeping aside the geopolitical tensions , relying on a single source to get the necessary parts for a potent industry is not the most desirable set-up for many . Therefore , the EU and the US have started using regulations to push the industry towards an unconventional route : prioritising supply over cost .
The Solutions and Issues The solutions that are being considered by the ore industry are not uncommon . However , they seem to be on the unconventional side of things . Instead of
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