Africa Copper Production at Risk if Iran War Disrupts Sulphur Supply

Copper production across Africa could face significant disruption if the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues for more than a few weeks, according to mining executive Robert Friedland.

Friedland, executive chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, warned that African copper producers depend heavily on sulphur imports from the Middle East, which are critical for processing copper ore.

The central African copper belt imports roughly two million tonnes of sulphur each year, with about 90% originating from the Middle East, according to a report by the Financial Times.

Sulphur is used to produce sulphuric acid, an essential chemical required to extract copper from oxide ores through a process known as acid leaching.

“I have heard that traders are already struggling to source any,” Friedland said, warning that sulphuric acid prices could rise sharply across Africa.

The warning comes as tensions in the Middle East escalate.

According to reports from Bloomberg News, the U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its sixth day on Thursday, with hostilities showing no signs of easing.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has vowed to intensify retaliatory strikes, while U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was performing well on the battlefield and moving closer to controlling Iranian airspace.

Regional tensions have continued to escalate as Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted by Israel and several Arab states, while Qatar urged residents to remain indoors due to security risks.

Iran also reported striking an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, raising concerns about the safety of regional shipping lanes.

Israel has conducted multiple waves of airstrikes targeting military and intelligence facilities in Tehran.

Since the conflict began on February 28, at least 1,200 people have reportedly been killed in Iran, with additional casualties reported elsewhere in the region.

The conflict has already begun to disrupt global markets.

Brent crude oil prices climbed toward $82 per barrel, rising about 13% in the first three days of the week, while gold prices also gained.

Meanwhile, more than 23,000 flights to Middle Eastern hubs have been cancelled, highlighting the wider economic impact of the conflict.

For Africa’s mining sector, prolonged instability could threaten supply chains and increase production costs, particularly for copper producers that rely heavily on imported sulphur.