Top 10 Copper Producing Countries

Last Updated : 26 Feb, 2024

According to the International Trade Administration, Chile is the world’s major copper-producing country accounts around 24% of global production. Peru holds the second position which is responsible for 10% of global copper production. According to the USGS, around 65% of the world’s identified copper is stored in five countries i.e. Chile, Australia, Peru, Mexico, and the United States.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Top 10 Copper Producing Countries in the world.

List of Top 10 Copper Producing Countries

Copper is one of the most important metals. The world’s largest producer of copper is Chile. Here is the list of world’s top 10 copper-producing countries :

Overview of Top 10 Copper Producing Countries
Country	Production (in million metric tonnes)	Market Share (%)
Chile	5.62	32.33
Peru	2.2	12.67
China	1.8	10.34
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)	1.8	10.34
United States of America	1.2	6.90
Russia	0.82	4.72
Australia	0.82	4.72
Indonesia	0.81	4.66
Mexico	0.73	4.20
Zambia	0.73	4.20

10. Zambia – 0.73 Million Metric Tonnes

Copper is the backbone of the Zambian economy. It contributes 75% of the country’s total export earnings.
Zambia recorded a copper production of 980,165 tonnes in 2024.
It also experienced a 4.5% increase from the previous year’s record high of 708,000 tons in 2020.
The Zambian Mopani Copper Mines are the major contributors to the country’s copper output.
It also contributes around 88,000 metric tonnes in 2024.
The Lumwana mine is owned by Barrick Gold Corporation.
The mines also plays a significant role in Zambia’s copper production.
In 2024, Zambia exported the total copper of worth $8.44 billion.
Under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia aims to triple its copper output over the next decade, attracting increased investments.

9. Mexico – 0.73 Million Metric Tonnes

Mexico ranked as the ninth largest copper producer globally in 2024.
Mexico contributed 1,058,752,300 tons of copper in 2024.
Buenavista del Cobre, Mexico’s largest mine located in Sonora and owned by Grupo México, S.A.B. de C.V., produced 327.3 kilotonnes of copper in 2024.
Mexico possesses nearly 53 million metric tonnes of copper reserves.
Despite challenges such as mine closures, operation delays, and lower ore grades, Mexico exported $3.42 billion worth of copper ores and concentrates in 2024.
A 1.4% decline in copper production was recorded in July 2023 compared to the same period the previous year, with an estimated total decline reaching 4% by the end of the year.

8. Indonesia – 0.81 Million Metric Tonnes

Indonesia ranked among the top copper-producing nations in 2024.
Copper production in Indonesia reached 810,000 metric tonnes.
The primary contributor to this production was the Grasberg Block Cave Mine in Papua, owned by PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium, which produced 295.5 thousand tonnes of copper.
Indonesia’s copper reserves are estimated to be depleted by 2041.
President Joko Widodo is considering a potential export ban in 2023 to support the resource processing industry.
In 2024, Indonesia exported 2,235,454 tonnes of copper ore, valued at $5.4 billion.

7. Australia – 0.82 Million Metric Tonnes

Australia, with the world’s second-largest copper reserves after Chile, produced 817,700 metric tonnes of copper in 2024.
The Olympic Dam copper-uranium-gold deposit, owned by BHP Group Limited, is one of Australia’s largest copper deposits.
In FY2024, the mine produced 138.4 kilotonnes of copper, down from 205 kilotonnes in FY2024.
Other significant copper deposits in Australia include Prominent Hill in South Australia and Girilambone in New South Wales.
Copper exports contribute about 10% to Australia’s revenue.
In 2024, 50% of Australia’s copper exports were sent to China.
Export growth is anticipated, with expectations of reaching 977 kilotonnes by 2023-2024.

6. Russia – 0.82 Million Metric Tonnes

Russia, ranked sixth globally in copper production for 2024, produced 820,000 metric tonnes.
Copper production in Russia peaked at 883 kilometric tonnes in 2012 before declining to 705 metric kilotonnes in 2017.
Russia hosts the world’s third-largest copper reserves, with over 26 million metric tonnes, largely due to the Udokan deposits.
Udokan Copper, owner of the Udokan deposit, initiated industrial mining operations in August 2022.
The Udokan project’s anticipated exports to China, starting in 2023, position Russia as a significant player in the global copper market.

5. United States of America – 1.2 Million Metric Tonnes

The United States leads globally in copper production, with Arizona responsible for around 71% of domestic production in 2024.
U.S. copper production reached 1.2 million metric tonnes, valued at $12 billion in 2024, marking a 58% increase from 2024.
Copper imports in the U.S. rose from 37% to 45% between 2020 and 2024, despite high domestic production.
President Biden’s EV-related infrastructure goals drive strategic focus, expecting copper demand to reach 4,000,000 kgs by 2030.
U.S. recorded copper exports worth $2.82 billion in 2024, solidifying its status as the top copper-producing country.
Notable mines like Kamoa-Kakula significantly contributed to impressive production figures.

4. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – 1.8 Million Metric Tonnes

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emerged as the fourth-largest copper producer globally in 2024.
DRC contributed 1.8 million metric tonnes of copper in 2024.
Ivanhoe Mines’ establishment and the start of copper production in the Kamoa-Kakula mine have boosted DRC’s significance in the copper industry.
Robert Friedland likened DRC to the “Saudi Arabia of copper, cobalt, and hydro-electric generation potential.”
DRC boasts large copper reserves and high-quality grade copper, attracting attention from investors and mining entities.

3. China – 1.8 Million Metric Tonnes

China emerged as the third-largest global copper producer in 2024.
Production reached 1.8 million metric tonnes in 2023, peaking at 1.9 million metric tonnes in 2016.
Despite high production capacity, China struggles with substantial copper demand, leading to significant imports.
In 2022, 72.2% of China’s copper demand was met through imports.
The Tibetan Yulong mine, China’s largest copper-producing mine, contributed over 1.1 million tonnes of copper in 2023.
Owned predominantly by Western Mines Group Ltd., the Yulong mine faces depletion by 2036.

2. Peru – 2.2 Million Metric Tonnes

Peru secured its position as the world’s second-largest copper producer in 2024.
Production reached 2.2 million metric tonnes in 2023.
Major mines contributing to Peru’s copper production include Cerro Verdo, Antamina, and Las Bambas.
These mines are largely owned by Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Glencore plc, and MMG Limited, respectively.
Peru’s copper production rebounded by approximately 7% in 2021 after a decline in 2020.
Forecasts indicate a 4.8% increase in copper production by the end of 2023, reaching 2.3 million metric tonnes.
Peru holds reserves of 77 million metric tonnes, ranking third globally.

1. Chile – 5.62 Million Metric Tonnes

Chile remains the world’s leading copper producer, achieving an output of 5.62 million metric tonnes in 2024.
Chile boasts reserves of approximately 200 million metric tonnes and hosts three of the largest copper mines globally.
The Escondida mine, primarily owned by BHP Group Limited, stands out as the largest contributor to global copper production, accounting for 7% in 2023.
Chile contributes 23% to the world’s total copper production.
Despite a 1.9% decrease in copper production in 2021, industry analysts anticipate a further 4.8% decline in 2022.
However, forecasts indicate a promising outlook, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.2% between 2022 and 2026.
This forecast predicts Chile’s copper production to reach an impressive 6.4 million metric tonnes by the end of the projection period.

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FAQs on Top 10 Copper Producing Countries

Which country is largest producer of copper?

Chile is the top copper producer in the world, with 27% of global copper production. In addition, the country is home to the two largest mines in the world, Escondida and Collahuasi.

What is the rank of India in copper production?

India is a net importer of copper. Globally, India ranks at the 30th position in copper production. Chile is the largest producer of copper in the world.

Is India rich in copper?

Largest reserves/resources of copper ore to the tune of 813 million tonnes (53.81%) are in the State of Rajasthan followed by Jharkhand with 295 million tonnes (19.54%) and Madhya Pradesh with 283 million tonnes (18.75%).

Which country is in demand for copper?

Despite its significant production capacity, China grapples with high copper demand, compelling the country to import copper to meet its requirements.

Who is the biggest consumer of copper?

China had by far the largest demand for copper out of any country or macro region in the world in 2022, amounting to nearly 8.7 million metric tons.

Who is the world’s largest consumer of copper?

China is the World’s Largest Producer and Consumer of Copper Materials, with Wide Applications in Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles and Other Fields.

Which country is largest exporter of Copper?

Chile is the largest exporter of copper.

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