Patterns and challenges in the copper industry in China

•High external dependency affects the security of resource guarantees.•Lack of innovation capacity and advanced products.•Disordered expansion hinders the benign development of the copper industry.•Necessity of promoting the green development of the copper industry.•Countermeasures and suggestions include digging mining resource potential, adjusting industrial structures, promoting technological innovation, and strengthening policy regulations.

Over the past century of construction and development, China has become the largest copper consumer globally. However, considering the current situation of Chinese copper resources and industrial development patterns, the green development of the copper industry faces numerous challenges. In this study, based on analyses of current and secondary copper resources, the consumption of copper resources, the status of the copper trade, and industrial policy development, major problems have been identified. These include a lack of innovation capacity and advanced copper products, the disordered expansion of copper processing enterprises, conflicts between resources and the environment, and excessive dependence on external. Under the guidance of green development in the 13th Five Year Plan, in order to accelerate green development of the Chinese copper industry, this study has proposed countermeasures and suggestions, such as digging mining resource potential, adjusting industrial structures, promoting technological innovation, and strengthening policy regulation.