The largest copper mining countries in the world have an increasingly important role producing a metal that underpins major global industries and will be a crucial ingredient of the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
Due to its high thermal and electrical conductivity, copper is used widely in construction, engineering and electronics manufacturing, while its malleable properties make it particularly suited to use in wiring.
As the global energy system integrates a greater share of renewable technologies and electrified processes, demand for the reddish-gold metal is expected to grow rapidly to build the batteries, motors, power cables and many other applications that will characterise modern energy infrastructure.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has suggested world copper demand could double over the next 20 years as the pace of electrification grows, with clean energy applications potentially accounting for 45% of overall demand.
There are currently around 250 copper mines in operation in nearly 40 countries, with global production – estimated by the US Geological Survey at 20 million tonnes in 2020 – 30% higher than it was just 10 years ago.
Estimated worldwide reserves stand at around 870 million tonnes, almost a quarter of which are located in Chile.
Largest copper producing countries in the world by 2020 mining production
1. Chile – 5.7 million tonnes
Chile is the clear leader among the world’s largest copper producing countries, with 5.7 million tonnes of the metal mined in 2020.
The South American country is home to the biggest copper reserves worldwide, estimated at around 200 million tonnes by the US Geological Survey.
Some of the largest copper mines are located in Chile, including the Escondida, Collahuasi and El Teniente projects.
Chilean producer Codelco ranks first among the world’s largest copper mining companies, closely followed by BHP, which jointly operates the massive Escondida mine in northern Chile.
2. Peru – 2.2 million tonnes
Mining operations in Peru produced 2.2 million tonnes of copper in 2020 – a small decrease on the previous year.
The country’s Cerro Verde and Antamina mines are among the world’s largest copper operations, while the Quellaveco mine being developed by Anglo American and Mitsubishi is expected to begin production in 2022, adding another substantial resource to Peruvian copper activities.
Peru’s mining industry was badly disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but analysts have forecast a strong rebound, with production expected to grow as high as 3.1 million tonnes by 2024.
3. China – 1.7 million tonnes
China mined an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of copper in 2020, placing it third on the list of the world’s largest copper producing countries.
The Chinese economy is the biggest global consumer of the metal, and imports large volumes to supplement its own domestic production.
Jiangxi Copper is one of the country’s major producers, operating the key Dexing copper mine in China’s Jiangxi Province.
4. Democratic Republic of Congo – 1.3 million tonnes
An estimated 1.3 million tonnes of copper were mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during 2020.
The country is perhaps better known as being the runaway leader among the world’s top cobalt producing countries – and also home to by far the world’s largest cobalt reserves – but copper mining often takes place alongside its cobalt operations and is a significant industry for the African nation.
Swiss miner Glencore has established a strong presence in the DRC, and mines both copper and cobalt at its Katanga and Mutanda mining operations in the Katanga Province.
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project, a joint venture led by Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining, is a major copper mining asset currently under development in the DRC expected to add significant new potential to the country’s industry.
5. United States – 1.2 million tonnes
Copper mining is a significant business in the US, and in 2020 an estimated 1.2 million tonnes of the metal were unearthed.
Arizona is the top-producing state in the country, accounting for around three-quarters of domestic output, followed by Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana and Michigan.
A major joint venture between BHP and Rio Tinto, known as Resolution Copper, is currently planned for Arizona that could become one of the country’s largest copper mines – but there is currently uncertainty over the project’s future due to a controversial land-swap deal opposed by Native American groups.
