Global Leading Producers of Copper: 2024 Production Rankings

The global copper market entered a critical phase in 2024, marked by competing forces that reshaped production and pricing dynamics worldwide. As the copper industry faces a fundamental transformation driven by electrification and renewable energy adoption, the world’s leading producers of copper have come into sharp focus. The red metal reached unprecedented price levels in May 2024, surpassing the US$5 per pound threshold for the first time, signaling robust demand despite macroeconomic uncertainties. According to the US Geological Survey, global copper production totaled 23 million metric tons in 2024, yet the industry faces a critical gap: aging mines across top-producing nations lack adequate replacement capacity. Analysts forecast the copper market will shift into supply deficits over the next few years, suggesting the tightening market fundamentals will support higher prices and stronger mining company profits. Understanding which nations lead copper production provides insight into how the global supply chain will evolve.

1. Chile: Maintaining Its Crown as the World’s Primary Copper Producer

Chile solidified its position as the leading producer of copper globally in 2024, generating 5.3 million metric tons and commanding approximately 23 percent of worldwide output. The nation’s dominance stems from its geological endowment and established mining infrastructure. Major multinational operators, including state-owned Codelco, Anglo American, Glencore, and Antofagasta, maintain substantial operations throughout Chilean copper regions. The crown jewel remains BHP’s Escondida complex, the world’s largest single copper mine, with annual production spanning the 2 million metric ton range. BHP’s 57.5 percent stake translates to roughly 1.13 million metric tons of copper annually, while Rio Tinto (30 percent) and Jeco contribute additional volumes. Production momentum is expected to accelerate further—S&P Global projects Chilean output will climb to approximately 6 million metric tons in 2025 as newly developed properties ramp production capabilities.

2. Democratic Republic of Congo: Rapid Ascent Among Global Producers

The Democratic Republic of Congo emerged as the second-largest copper producer in 2024, delivering 3.3 million metric tons and representing over 11 percent of global copper production. This nation’s remarkable trajectory reflects sharp increases over recent years, with 2024 output rising meaningfully from 2023’s 2.93 million metric tons. A primary driver of this expansion is the Kamoa-Kakula project operated through a partnership between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining Group. Phase 3 achieved commercial production in August 2024, contributing 437,061 metric tons of copper that year—an increase from the prior year’s 393,551 metric tons. Ivanhoe has outlined aggressive expansion plans, guiding investors toward 520,000 to 580,000 metric tons of production throughout 2025.

3. Peru: Production Challenges Amid Regional Mining Complexity

Peru ranked third among copper producers in 2024 with 2.6 million metric tons of output, though this represented a decline of 160,000 metric tons compared to 2023. Freeport McMoRan’s Cerro Verde mine—Peru’s largest copper operation—experienced a 3.7 percent production decrease, which MDO data identified as generating 1.94 million metric tons of copper concentrate in 2023. The company attributed reductions to lower volumes from leach ore stockpiles and maintenance-related milling rate adjustments. Beyond Cerro Verde, significant production centers include Anglo American’s Quellaveco mine and Southern Copper’s Tia Maria operation. The majority of Peru’s copper exports flow toward China and Japan, with South Korea and Germany representing secondary markets.

4. China: Mining Output Stability Amid Refining Dominance

China produced 1.8 million metric tons of mine copper in 2024, marginally below 2023’s 1.82 million metric tons, continuing a gradual decline from the 1.91 million metric ton peak achieved in 2021. However, China’s global copper dominance manifests most clearly through refining capabilities—the nation processed 12 million metric tons of refined copper in 2024, accounting for over 44 percent of worldwide refining output and exceeding Chile’s volumes by a factor of six. China also maintains the world’s largest copper reserves at 190 million metric tons. Zijin Mining Group, a leading metal producer, operates the Qulong copper-molybdenum-silver-gold complex in Tibet, which the company acquired majority control of during 2024. The Qulong mine produced 340 million pounds of copper during 2023, with 2024 production estimated at 366 million pounds as Zijin consolidates operations.

5. Indonesia: Surging Output and Industrial Expansion

Indonesia ascended to the fifth position among copper producers in 2024, generating 1.1 million metric tons and surpassing both the United States and Russia in output rankings. The nation’s copper production has accelerated considerably in recent years, climbing from 907,000 metric tons in 2023 and 731,000 metric tons in 2021. Freeport McMoRan’s Grasberg complex serves as the nation’s premier mining operation, producing 1.66 billion pounds of copper in 2023. PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau mine represents another significant contributor, with 542 million pounds of copper concentrate output in 2023, rising substantially to an estimated 1.84 billion pounds in 2024 as Phase 7 high-grade ore processing commenced. In mid-2024, Amman Minerals inaugurated a dedicated smelting facility designed to process 900,000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually, yielding 222,000 metric tons of copper cathodes.

6. United States: Domestic Production Concentrated in Arizona

The United States produced 1.1 million metric tons of copper in 2024, maintaining near-parity with 2023 levels while representing a notable step back from 2022’s 1.23 million metric ton output. Arizona accounts for 70 percent of domestic supply across 17 mines responsible for 99 percent of national production. Freeport McMoRan’s Morenci mine, operated as a joint venture with Sumitomo, constitutes the nation’s largest copper operation, delivering 700 million pounds of copper metal in 2024 while maintaining 12.63 million tons of proven and probable reserves. Complementary operations include Freeport McMoRan’s Safford and Sierrita mines, contributing 249 million metric tons and 165 million metric tons respectively. Secondary mining states include Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico.

7. Russia: Ramping Siberian Production Capacity

Russia generated 930,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, a meaningful increase from 2023’s 890,000 metric tons. The Udokan mine in Siberia, operated by Udokan Copper, spearheaded this expansion through Phase 1 production increases. Despite experiencing multiple fire incidents at the close of 2023, copper production remained unaffected, with the facility expected to deliver up to 135,000 metric tons annually. Phase 2 development is projected to bring the facility’s capacity to 450,000 metric tons once operations commence in 2028.

8. Australia: Pacific Production Hub with Substantial Reserves

Australia produced 800,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, modestly exceeding 2023’s 778,000 metric ton output. BHP’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia anchors the nation’s operations, achieving a 10-year production high of 216,000 metric tons in 2024. The Queensland-based Mount Isa complex, operated by a Glencore subsidiary, has traditionally contributed substantially, though scheduled closure in the second half of 2025 will reshape the regional production landscape. Australia maintains the second-largest global copper reserves at 100 million metric tons, surpassed only by China’s 190 million metric ton endowment.

9. Kazakhstan: Emerging as a Top 10 Producer

Kazakhstan produced 740,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, maintaining year-over-year stability while breaking into the top 10 copper producers list for the first time, leapfrogging Mexico and Zambia. The nation’s copper output has climbed substantially compared to 2021’s 510,000 metric tons, reflecting infrastructure investments and mining development. Kazakhstan released a National Development Plan in February 2024 targeting a 40 percent increase in mineral production by 2029 through enhanced exploration, project co-financing, and investment tax incentives. Private firm KAZ Minerals operates the Aktogay mine, which delivered 228,800 metric tons of copper in 2024, representing a decline from 2023’s 252,400 metric tons.

10. Mexico: Rounding Out the Top Tier

Mexico completed the top 10 ranking of leading copper producers globally with 700,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, representing negligible change from 2023’s 699,000 metric tons. Grupo Mexico’s Buenavista del Cobre mine in Sonora constitutes the nation’s largest copper operation, generating 725 million pounds of copper concentrate and 193 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023. Grupo Mexico also operates Mexico’s second-largest facility, La Caridad, contributing 387,000 metric tons of copper concentrate and 51 million pounds of copper cathode during 2023.

The Path Forward for Global Copper Supply

The top 10 copper producers collectively shape global market dynamics and supply security. As energy transition initiatives accelerate worldwide copper demand, the production profiles of these leading nations will prove instrumental in either easing or exacerbating supply constraints. The forecast for supply deficits in coming years underscores why tracking these leading producer of copper nations remains essential for investors, industry participants, and market observers seeking to understand long-term copper market fundamentals.