The David Lin Report Critical Asset Shortage: Is The Next Inflation Shock Already Here? | M. Colin Joudrie
May 6, 2026
M. Colin Joudrie, CEO of Selkirk Copper Mines Inc., is a geologist and seasoned mining executive leading Yukon copper redevelopment. He discusses copper supply shortages and drivers of rising prices. He links energy shocks to demand for critical metals. He explains Yukon mining advantages, permitting challenges, Selkirk’s large drill program, and the company’s partnership with the Selkirk First Nation.
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Tariffs Stockpiles And Negative TCRCs Are Pushing Prices
- Short-term copper drivers include geopolitical tariffs, U.S. stockpiling of refined copper, and constrained concentrate supply hitting smelters.
- Joudrie highlights negative TCRCs as a rare signal of primary concentrate scarcity forcing smelters to pull available material.
Treat $6 Copper As Incentive To Ramp Exploration
- Use incentive pricing as the signal to expand exploration and development; current ~$6 copper is near the incentive price to spur projects.
- Joudrie urges firms to respond but warns permitting and industry inexperience building projects will slow the ramp-up.
Copper Supply Is Now A National Security Issue
- National security concerns now make copper policy-driven; governments push faster permitting and domestic projects to diversify supply chains.
- Joudrie notes Canada and US programs aim to accelerate permits but refining still centers on China, complicating onshoring.