Sep 8, 2026 – 8.00pmCopper reset its record high for the second time this week, bolstered by the rise of artificial intelligence and US President Donald Trump’s trade war, which is expected to exacerbate a shortage of the metal used in everything from data centres to solar panels.But the lofty copper prices have not been enough to tempt Australia’s mining industry to spend more money on exploring for it.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles