We often credit innovation, finance or technology for powering the modern world. But what if the real story starts deeper underground? In this episode of The Commodity Exchange, host Nitesh Shah speaks with Scott Crooks, Principal Analyst at Codelco, to explore how metals like copper, steel and nickel have shaped the rise of nations and continue to drive global power dynamics. From the industrial revolution to the green energy transition, they unpack why mining is foundational to prosperity and what today’s infrastructure gaps tell us about tomorrow’s geopolitical shifts.