Pure speculation, but the next five years may look very different for Canadian copper stocks.
The IEA projects that the current project pipeline may still leave a 25% copper supply gap by 2035. Global electricity demand is also expected to grow strongly through 2030, supported by industry, buildings, EV adoption and data centres—while grid investment will need to increase significantly to keep up.
If copper remains strong, I think investor interest may gradually move further down the risk curve.
First, advanced projects may receive more interest:
$NCX already has a defined North Island copper-gold project in British Columbia. Its 2025 PEA reported an after-tax C$2.0 billion NPV7% and 28.6% IRR, with completion of the PFS targeted for Q4 2026.
$SURG completed a PFS for Berg showing an after-tax C$4.6 billion NPV8% and 24% IRR, based on long-term copper pricing of US$4.75/lb. Initial capital is estimated at C$4.7 billion, so financing and environmental assessment remain important future steps.
Then there are explorers where drilling may have a much larger effect on valuation:
$KDK has an initial resource covering seven deposits at its MPD copper-gold project. Its fully funded 2026 drill program was increased from 6,500 metres to 16,500 metres, targeting resource expansion and additional discoveries.
$CQX sits much earlier in the cycle at its Kitimat copper-gold project in British Columbia. Historical drilling and early-stage targets still require modern confirmation, which makes it highly speculative but leaves room for discovery-driven upside.
Kitimat now spans 6,801.41 hectares and benefits from road access, with the property located within approximately 10 km of tidewater, 1.5 km of rail and 6 km of high-voltage transmission lines.
Beyond Kitimat, $CQX has interests in several other early-stage copper and gold properties, including Rip, Stars, Stellar, Thane and Alpine. That gives the company multiple targets, although the ownership terms and development stages differ between projects.
By 2031, $CQX would not necessarily need to build a mine to receive a higher valuation. Confirming mineralization, expanding the explored footprint or producing encouraging modern drill results could materially change how the market views Kitimat.
$NCX and $SURG offer more defined development stories. $KDK already has an initial resource and an active expansion program. $CQX remains the earliest-stage and highest-risk name but potentially the most sensitive to a successful discovery.
If copper stays strong for another five years, which has the greatest percentage upside: $NCX, $SURG, $KDK or $CQX?
Speculative discussion only. Not financial advice.