# AI infrastructure expansion and mineral demand > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ai-infrastructure-expansion-and-mineral-demand > Updated: 2026-10-24T12:15:50.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is driving significant global demand for various raw materials. Initial reports indicate that the development pipeline for data center projects has tripled within a single year, creating structural supply deficits for critical base metals such as copper, aluminum, and nickel. This demand extends to power and transmission infrastructure, which requires substantial metal volumes to support data center operations. As the AI market is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, demand is diversifying into other sectors. This includes platinum group metals (PGMs) for use in sensors, data storage, and electronics, as well as uranium to support the nuclear power required to meet high electricity demands. While companies like Sibanye-Stillwater are positioned to benefit from these trends, experts warn that mining investment and regulatory approvals may not keep pace with the necessary supply requirements. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: AI market growth drives demand for platinum group metals and uranium Driven by a projected rise in the AI market to $4.8 trillion by 2033, demand is increasing for platinum group metals and uranium to support data centers and electronic infrastructure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ai-market-growth-drives-demand-for-platinum-group-metals-and-uranium ### 2026-10-22: AI expansion drives global demand for critical base metals AI infrastructure growth is driving a global surge in demand for critical metals like copper and nickel, creating supply bottlenecks and increasing interest in domestic mining projects. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ai-expansion-drives-global-demand-for-critical-base-metals --- Cite as: AI infrastructure expansion and mineral demand. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ai-infrastructure-expansion-and-mineral-demand