Copper mining is seeing a resurgence in Australia. A total of AU$260 million was spent on copper exploration across the country in 2018, significantly higher than the previous year.

While South Australia remains the nation's undisputed copper capital – accounting for 69% of resources and output – New South Wales may be the more promising state for new opportunities and investment potential.

Dozens of smaller copper mines are currently in operation or development in NSW, with many more firms scouring the state to find more of the red metal.

Seeking the next big deposit

New South Wales is home to 13% of Australia's demonstrated copper resources, including some of the country's largest reserves such as Cadia East and Northparkes.

Most copper mining activity in NSW is focused on the central region between Broken Hill and Dubbo, but activity stretches across the state. There are 18 established copper mines in 9 locations as of 2021, but this figure is set to grow as miners eye NSW's great potential.

Around 40 mining companies are currently engaged in exploration activities across the state to discover the next big copper reserve. This has seen New South Wales overtake the likes of Chile in its attractiveness as a global copper mining hotspot.

Building the clean energy future

The growing demand for copper worldwide is based on the metal's importance in several rapidly growing industrial sectors, including wiring for semiconductors, batteries and chargers for electric vehicles and other renewable energy systems.

With the United States, China and many other nations increasingly embracing green technologies and infrastructure to reduce emissions, demand for copper is expected to remain strong over the coming decades – even outstripping supply if it remains at current levels.

Recently hitting $10,000 per metric ton for the first time in a decade, copper prices are predicted to reach at least $13,000/t in the coming years and may even hit $20,000/t by 2025 if supply shortages are not addressed.

Investing in copper stocks

With copper being touted as the new gold by some analysts, and production striving to meet the high demand from the industry as we enter the age of electrification, the sought-after metal could become a similarly safe option for investment portfolios across the decade and beyond.

As well as investing in copper prices, investors have plenty of options to choose from when backing ASX-listed mining companies that are tapping lucrative copper reserves in New South Wales, from established operations from major producers to up-and-coming prospects such as the Tottenham Copper-Gold Project.

Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY)

Barclay Pearce Capital's client Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) is an Australian exploration company. They are focused on identifying and assessing opportunities for the acquisition, exploration and development of copper and other mineral resources projects in Australia that have the potential to deliver significant growth for shareholders.

Locksley Resources was incorporated in October 2018 and has acquired 100% legal and beneficial interest in the highly prospective Tottenham Copper-Gold Project.

To keep up to date with Locksley Resources' news and progress, and for more information about copper investment as a whole, subscribe to the Locksley Resources Limited Chairman's List.