Copper, KGHM, Poland

A rare integrated copper chain in Europe, Lower Silesia mines and the Głogów and Legnica smelters combined in a single group, KGHM is the continent's second producer. But the depletion of grades in deposits mined at more than 1,000 m of depth raises costs. Against the ≈45% of the world's refined copper that transits through China, this European alternative remains marginal at the scale of electrification demand.