Global copper output is on an upward trajectory, and the current market shows no immediate supply-demand imbalance. However, this equilibrium could face serious challenges ahead. The real pressure point emerges when renewable energy expansion and artificial intelligence growth both hit their projected targets simultaneously. If both sectors scale as anticipated, demand for copper—essential for power infrastructure, grid modernization, and AI hardware—would surge dramatically. Critical mineral supply chains would then become the bottleneck. This scenario highlights a systemic risk often overlooked: while production capacity exists today, the coordination between energy transition infrastructure buildout and explosive AI deployment could create a perfect storm for mineral scarcity. The mathematics of growth assumptions matter more than current surplus headlines.