This summer's droughts are also a mining crisis — and the two are the same story

Over half the world's lithium and cobalt comes from regions already running out of water.

An industry analysis published August 12, 2026 connects this summer's droughts and wildfires across three continents to a quieter crisis: the same water-stressed regions produce most of the world's copper, lithium, and cobalt — the metals the clean energy transition depends on. Over half of today's lithium and cobalt production comes from water-stressed areas, and 30-50% of global copper, gold, iron ore, and zinc output — roughly $150 billion in annual revenue — sits in high-water-stress regions. In Chile alone, 80% of copper is already mined under extreme water stress, projected to hit 100% by 2040.