Top 5 Copper Stocks to Watch in 2025 — As the ‘New Oil’ Powers the Global Tech Shift

On behalf of NexMetals Mining Corp.

While tech stocks and meme trades dominate the headlines, the real story of the decade is unfolding quietly — and it centers on copper.

Often overlooked, copper is the metal powering the clean energy revolution. It’s essential to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, AI data centers, and the infrastructure needed for global electrification. As the backbone of decarbonization and digitalization, demand is surging — and so are prices. Copper recently touched a 10-year high, nearing $5 per pound.

But this isn’t driven by hype — it’s basic supply and demand, unfolding faster than anyone expected. According to BHP, global copper demand could grow by 70% by 2050.1 Yet new copper discoveries have collapsed by over 80% since 2010,2 and it now takes an average of 16 years to bring a new project from discovery to production.3

On top of that, key copper-producing countries like Chile, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are tightening their grip with higher taxes and resource nationalism, putting even more pressure on supply. Only a handful of new projects are close to production, and analysts are calling copper “the new oil” — forecasting shortages through the end of the decade.4

In this high-stakes environment, copper is emerging as one of the most strategic and potentially profitable commodities of the next decade. Several junior and mid-tier companies are positioning themselves to meet this rising demand. They hold promising assets in mining-friendly jurisdictions and are advancing projects that could feed the next generation of copper-hungry technologies.

Here are five copper stocks to watch in 2025:

  1. NexMetals Mining Corp. (NASDAQ:NEXM) (TSXV:NEXM) 
  2. Marimaca Copper Corp. (TSX:MARI) (ASX:MC2)
  3. Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX:TMQ) (NYSE:TMQ)
  4. Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) (OTCQX:ASCUF)
  5. Bravo Mining Corp. (TSXV:BRVO) (OTCQX:BRVMF)

1. NexMetals Mining Corp. (NASDAQ:NEXM) (TSXV:NEXM) 

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In the middle of a looming global copper shortage, NexMetals Mining Corp. (NASDAQ:NEXM) (TSXV:NEXM) is quickly becoming a company to watch. The Vancouver-based junior mining firm controls two past-producing copper-nickel-cobalt mines — the Selebi Complex5 and the Selkirk Mine6 — located in Botswana, one of Africa’s most politically stable and mining-friendly jurisdictions.

NexMetals is more than just a speculative explorer. This is a company in motion. With a $67 million recapitalization secured from respected backers like Frank Giustra and EdgePoint Investment Group, the company is drilling aggressively and reactivating key infrastructure at its flagship Selebi Complex.7 The Selebi North underground workings have already been re-opened, and exploration drifts are advancing with expansion drilling targeting highly conductive zones beyond the current resource.

Recent assay results from the Selebi North underground mine underscore the project’s upside potential.8 NexMetals’ 34,300-metre infill program across 80 drill holes is now complete, and the results are turning heads. Highlights include 27.55 metres grading 4.97% copper equivalent (CuEq), and 13.15 metres at 4.59% CuEq — both in the high-grade South Limb zone. Notably, these results were not included in the current NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 24.7 million tonnes (Inferred) and 3 Mt (Indicated) averaging 1.5% copper and 0.92% nickel, suggesting strong potential for upward revision.

And the system just got even bigger. In May 2025, NexMetals hit a major 183-metre step-out at Selebi North. The hole intersected a broader 13.5-metre mineralized zone, with assays pending — and geophysics shows the potential for even more mineralization and the zones remain open at depth.

CEO Morgan Lekstrom said that the mineralization at Selebi North remains open down-plunge and down-dip, reinforcing confidence in the resource expansion potential.  NexMetals Mining Corp. (NASDAQ:NEXM) (TSXV:NEXM) is now shifting toward a high-impact growth phase focused on expansion drilling, particularly in zones flagged by strong borehole electromagnetic (BHEM) responses that have so far pointed to the presence of massive sulphide mineralization. Investors can explore 3D visualizations of these results and the evolving resource model on the VRIFY platform.

Selebi is no ordinary exploration target. This mine was once operated by BCL Limited and produced nearly 40 million tonnes before being mothballed due to smelter closure — not resource depletion. Now under NexMetals’ control, Selebi is once again showing its promise as a globally significant source of critical minerals.

Backing this resurgence is Frank Giustra, the founder of Goldcorp and Wheaton Precious Metals and a seasoned mining entrepreneur with a proven track record of turning early-stage ventures into billion-dollar companies. His involvement — alongside a strong technical and corporate team — gives NexMetals Mining Corp. (NASDAQ:NEXM) (TSXV:NEXM) a level of credibility and strategic vision that few juniors can match.

But the story doesn’t stop at Selebi. Just 75 km away, the Selkirk Mine is emerging as a second major asset. While it produced over 1 million tonnes of ore between 1989 and 2002, operations were suspended for the same reasons that Selebi closed a failure in their shared smelter rather than resource depletion. Today, Selkirk boasts a near-surface resource of 44.2 million tonnes containing copper, nickel, palladium, and platinum. NexMetals Mining Corp. is applying ore-sorting technologies and deep-imaging tools to uncover higher-grade zones, potentially transforming Selkirk into a low-cost open-pit operation — or a valuable blending asset alongside Selebi’s high-grade feed.

With the global copper market facing an 80% collapse in new discoveries since 2010 — and copper prices pushing toward record highs — NexMetals Mining Corp. is seizing a well-timed opportunity. The company is already being compared to Khoemacau Copper Mining, a nearby Botswana project that was acquired for $1.88 billion in 2024 by China’s MMG Ltd.9

NexMetals Mining Corp. offers many of the same ingredients: high-grade deposits, strong infrastructure, expert leadership, and perfect timing. With multiple catalysts ahead — including more drill results, a potential Nasdaq uplisting, and a resource update that could incorporate the latest high-grade intercepts — NexMetals Mining Corp. (NASDAQ:NEXM) (TSXV:NEXM) is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most compelling breakout stories in the critical minerals space.

On Behalf of NexMetals Mining Corp.

Copper just hit a 10-year high and the market isn’t prepared.

Demand from EVs, AI data centers, and renewable energy is soaring—but global supply is stuck in a decades-long drought.

While majors scramble, one junior miner has quietly secured two high-grade, past-producing copper-nickel mines in a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction.

Get the name and symbol now.

2. Marimaca Copper Corp. (TSX:MARI) (OTCQX:MARIF)

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Marimaca Copper Corp. (TSX:MARI) (OTCQX:MARIF) is a Canadian mining company focused on the development of its flagship asset—the Marimaca Copper Project in northern Chile.10 Positioned as one of the most significant new copper discoveries in recent years, the Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD) offers a rare combination of scale, low capital intensity, and excellent infrastructure access. The company’s strategy revolves around developing a low-risk, high-return copper operation, while continuing exploration to unlock further regional potential.

Recent developments have shone a spotlight on the nearby Pampa Medina Project Area, located approximately 25 km from the MOD. Through reinterpretation of historical drilling and new exploration, Marimaca has revealed that Pampa Medina—alongside the Madrugador, Sierra Valenzuela, and newly identified Pampa West—likely forms part of a single, large manto-style mineralized system. Drill results confirm widespread oxide copper mineralization across a 4km x 5km area, with potential for significant resource expansion through additional step-out and deep drilling.

Highlight drill holes like SMR-01 (400m at 0.49% CuT) and SMR-05 (54m at 0.54% CuT) underscore the project’s promise. Historical data also points to high-grade intercepts, including 122m at 1.61% CuT and 139m at 1.32% CuT. These findings suggest strong continuity across mineralized horizons and reinforce the company’s belief in Pampa Medina as a core component of a broader copper system.

Looking ahead, Marimaca Copper Corp. (TSX:MARI) (OTCQX:MARIF) plans an expanded exploration program for 2025, including RC and diamond drilling, with goals to delineate additional oxide resources and test deeper sulphide targets. By consolidating these zones under one operator for the first time, Marimaca is positioned to unlock a major copper resource in a critical supply market.

3. Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX:TMQ)(NYSE:TMQ)

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Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX:TMQ) (NYSE:TMQ) is a base metals exploration and development company focused on unlocking the vast mineral potential of northwestern Alaska. The company’s flagship assets are part of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP), a 50/50 joint venture with South32 Limited, known as Ambler Metals LLC. This strategic partnership is advancing one of the richest underdeveloped copper districts in the world, spanning over 172,000 hectares in the Ambler Mining District.12

The UKMP includes two major deposits: Arctic and Bornite. The Arctic Project is a high-grade, polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit currently supported by a feasibility study. Just 25 kilometers away lies the Bornite Project—an expansive copper-rich resource now backed by a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

Released in January 2025, the Bornite PEA highlights strong economic potential.13 Over a 17-year mine life, the project is forecasted to produce 1.9 billion pounds of copper. It reports a pre-tax NPV (8%) of $552 million and an after-tax NPV (8%) of $394 million, with an IRR of 20.0% after tax. The study outlines an underground mining operation processing 6,000 tonnes per day, producing copper concentrate with 90.9% average recovery and an average 29.5% copper grade.

Importantly, Bornite could extend the life of mining operations in the UKMP beyond 30 years, when combined with Arctic’s 13-year mine life. Trilogy’s CEO Tony Giardini emphasized the long-term potential of the 100-kilometre VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) belt, which offers substantial exploration upside. The Bornite PEA assumes a copper price of $4.20/lb, with estimated initial capex of $503.8 million and total capital costs of $866.9 million including retrofitting.

The company’s commitment to responsible development, combined with high-grade resources and strong partnerships, positions Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX:TMQ) (NYSE:TMQ) as a key copper player to watch in 2025.

4. Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) (OTCQX:ASCUF)

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Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) (OTCQX:ASCUF) is a copper developer focused on advancing its 100%-owned Cactus Project in Arizona, one of the few advanced-stage copper projects located on private land in the U.S.14 Its flagship asset, the Cactus Project, includes three main zones: Cactus East, Cactus West, and Parks/Salyer. Together, they form a large, scalable porphyry copper system in the heart of Arizona’s copper belt.

ASCU’s most recent activity centers on the Parks/Salyer deposit, where ongoing infill drilling is confirming mineral continuity and expanding the high-grade copper core. Notably, the high-grade mineralization now extends onto the adjacent MainSpring property, further enhancing the resource potential. Key drill results include ECM-299, which intersected 795 feet at 0.98% copper (enriched) and a 50-foot interval grading 1.91% copper, as well as ECM-289, which returned 669 feet at 1.01% copper. These results exceed expectations from the 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), positioning the company for a strong mineral resource update in 2025.

Currently, three rigs are dedicated to infill drilling at Parks/Salyer, with a fourth supporting geotechnical and hydrological work at Cactus West. These efforts support a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) targeted for the second half of 2025. With drilling now 50% complete, ASCU anticipates further conversion of inferred resources to indicated and measured categories.

ASCU made changes to its leadership, with Doug Bowden stepping down as VP Exploration in April 2025. Christopher White, currently Chief Mine Geologist, will lead the geology team moving forward. Under their direction, Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU) (OTCQX:ASCUF) aims to unlock further value from the Cactus Project and position itself as a future U.S. copper producer amid a growing push for domestic critical mineral supply.

On Behalf of NexMetals Mining Corp.

Copper’s record-setting surge is just beginning. 

Supply is collapsing, demand is relentless, and prices recently touched decade-high levels.

One under-the-radar junior miner controls two proven, high-grade copper-nickel mines poised for massive expansion and has a $67 million investment

Find out the name and symbol now.

5. Bravo Mining Corp. (TSXV:BRVO) (OTCQX:BRVMF)

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Bravo Mining Corp. (TSXV:BRVO) (OTCQX:BRVMF) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100%-owned Luanga Project, located in Brazil’s prolific Carajás Mineral Province, one of the world’s richest mineral belts. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Luis Azevedo, a seasoned resource industry professional with over 30 years of international experience.16

The Luanga Project is a standout for its large, high-grade palladium-platinum-rhodium-gold-nickel (PGM+Au+Ni) deposit, complemented by emerging copper-gold and nickel exploration targets. With an updated mineral resource showing higher tonnage and grades, and a preliminary license in hand, Bravo is well-positioned to capitalize on growing interest in PGMs.

The Luanga Project is also emerging as a significant copper play. The prolific Carajás mineral province is a region known globally for hosting world-class copper deposits like Vale’s Salobo mine. Bravo’s project benefits from exceptional infrastructure, including access to rail, roads, and hydropower—making it a highly cost-effective development prospect.

Drill results in 2024 confirmed extensive copper mineralization alongside PGMs and nickel, suggesting the potential for a multi-metal open-pit operation.17 This polymetallic profile—including copper, PGMs, and nickel—not only broadens Bravo’s resource base but also offers a natural hedge against commodity price volatility, adding strategic resilience.

In 2025, Bravo is pursuing a two-pronged strategy: expanding exploration and optimizing metallurgical processes. Exploration will target multiple zones beyond the core Luanga deposit, where recent scout drilling confirmed several mineralization styles, including high-grade copper-gold (IOCG) at T5, high-nickel PGM zones at T3, and magmatic sulphides at T6 and T16. A 7,000-metre drilling campaign will test promising targets like Lizard, Scorpion, and Perseus, guided by geophysical and geochemical anomalies.18

Meanwhile, metallurgical work will focus on maximizing recoveries from the Luanga PGM+Au+Ni deposit. Bravo is also studying the carbon sequestration potential of its waste rock, adding an environmental dimension to its development strategy.

As the company moves toward a maiden resource estimate and continues metallurgical testing, the market is watching closely. With exploration upside, operational advantages, and a strong foothold in a Tier-1 jurisdiction, Bravo Mining Corp. (TSXV:BRVO) (OTCQX:BRVMF) is quickly emerging as a standout in the copper space.

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