Global Rankings: Which Countries Are the Top 10 Copper Producing Nations?

In 2024, the landscape of global copper production revealed both steady market leaders and emerging players reshaping the industry. As the world’s top 10 copper producing countries compete for dominance, concerns about supply constraints have intensified. Aging mines across leading copper producing regions continue to operate without sufficient new projects to replace them, while simultaneously, the energy transition is driving unprecedented demand for the red metal. According to the US Geological Survey, global copper production reached 23 million metric tons in 2024, with supply and demand dynamics causing significant price volatility—notably, copper reached an all-time high above $5 per pound in May 2024.

The forecast for the top 10 copper producing countries suggests a market moving toward supply deficits in the coming years, which could support stronger pricing for copper and improved profitability for mining companies. For investors tracking this sector, understanding the production hierarchy among the world’s top copper producing countries is essential.

Chile: The Undisputed Leader in Global Copper Production

Production Volume: 5.3 million metric tons

Chile maintains its position as the world’s premier copper producing country, accounting for approximately 23 percent of total global copper output in 2024. The nation hosts operations from major mining corporations including state-owned Codelco, Anglo American, Glencore, and Antofagasta.

The crown jewel of Chile’s copper mining sector is the Escondida operation, the world’s largest copper mine. BHP holds a 57.5 percent stake in this sprawling complex, which operates in the 2 million metric ton annual production range. Rio Tinto controls 30 percent ownership, with Jeco holding the remainder. According to BHP’s 2024 annual report, the company’s share of Escondida’s copper output reached 1.13 million metric tons.

Notably, projections from S&P Global indicate that Chile’s copper producing capacity could rebound to record-breaking levels in 2025, potentially reaching 6 million metric tons as new mining projects ramp up operations.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Rising as the Second Major Copper Producing Country

Production Volume: 3.3 million metric tons

The Democratic Republic of Congo has emerged as the second-largest player among copper producing countries, generating 3.3 million metric tons in 2024—surpassing 11 percent of global supply. The DRC’s rapid ascent represents a significant shift in the copper producing hierarchy, with output climbing from 2.93 million metric tons in 2023.

The Kamoa-Kakula project, operated as a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining Group, has been instrumental in driving this growth. Following its transition to full commercial production in August 2024, the operation yielded 437,061 metric tons of copper during the year, up from 393,551 metric tons in 2023. The company projects further expansion, with 2025 guidance targeting between 520,000 and 580,000 metric tons.

Peru: Navigating Production Challenges Among Global Copper Producers

Production Volume: 2.6 million metric tons

Peru rounds out the top three among the world’s major copper producing countries, though 2024 presented headwinds. Output declined by 160,000 metric tons compared to 2023, largely due to a 3.7 percent drop at Freeport McMoRan’s Cerro Verde mine, Peru’s largest copper operation. According to Mining Data Online, Cerro Verde generated 1.94 million metric tons of copper concentrate in 2023, with 2024 production slowing due to lower stockpiled leach ore volumes and planned maintenance activities.

Other significant copper mining operations in Peru include Anglo American’s Quellaveco project and Southern Copper’s Tia Maria mine. The nation primarily exports its copper output to China and Japan, with South Korea and Germany representing secondary destinations.

China: A Complex Producer Profile in Top Copper Producing Countries

Production Volume: 1.8 million metric tons (mine production)

China produced 1.8 million metric tons of primary copper in 2024, marking a marginal decline from the 1.82 million metric tons recorded in 2023. Production has trended downward over recent years, slipping from a recent peak of 1.91 million metric tons in 2021. However, China’s role in copper refining vastly overshadows its primary production: refined copper output totaled 12 million metric tons in 2024, representing over 44 percent of global refined copper production.

Zijin Mining Group, China’s leading metal producer, owns the Qulong copper-molybdenum-silver-gold complex in Tibet. The company purchased a 50.1 percent interest in the mine’s owner during 2024 and is working to consolidate full ownership. The Qulong operation emerged as China’s largest copper mine in 2024, with estimated production reaching 366 million pounds of copper.

Indonesia: Ascending in the Copper Producing Countries Ranking

Production Volume: 1.1 million metric tons

Indonesia has advanced to become the fifth-largest copper producing country, surpassing the United States and Russia in 2024. The nation’s copper output has expanded substantially, jumping from 907,000 metric tons in 2023 and 731,000 metric tons in 2021, reflecting aggressive development across the sector.

Freeport McMoRan’s Grasberg complex dominates Indonesia’s copper producing landscape, having generated 1.66 billion pounds of copper in 2023. Meanwhile, PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau mine is positioned for significant growth, with 2024 production expected to surge to 1.84 billion pounds of copper concentrate as Phase 7 high-grade ore processing accelerates. Notably, Amman Minerals commissioned a smelting facility in mid-2024 capable of processing 900,000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually, producing 222,000 metric tons of copper cathodes.

United States: Maintaining Presence Among Top Copper Producing Countries

Production Volume: 1.1 million metric tons

The United States remains among the leading copper producing countries, though with modest year-over-year changes. U.S. production stood at 1.1 million metric tons in 2024, virtually flat against 2023 but notably lower than the 1.23 million metric tons achieved in 2022.

Arizona dominates domestic production, accounting for 70 percent of U.S. supply. Freeport McMoRan’s Morenci mine, operated as a joint venture with Sumitomo, represents the nation’s largest copper mining operation, producing 700 million pounds in 2024 while maintaining proven and probable reserves of 12.63 million pounds. Additional significant operations include Freeport McMoRan’s Safford and Sierrita mines, contributing 249 million and 165 million pounds respectively. Overall, just 17 mining operations account for 99 percent of U.S. copper production.

Russia: Ramping Up Production Among Copper Producing Countries

Production Volume: 930,000 metric tons

Russia produced 930,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, representing a substantial increase from the 890,000 metric tons recorded in 2023. The rise reflects the ongoing production ramp-up at Udokan Copper’s Siberian mining complex.

Despite experiencing multiple fires at year-end 2023, Udokan’s Phase 1 operations achieved their targeted output of approximately 135,000 metric tons in 2024. The project is positioned for dramatic growth once Phase 2 commences in 2028, when capacity is expected to reach 450,000 metric tons annually.

Australia: Leveraging Reserves Among Global Copper Producing Countries

Production Volume: 800,000 metric tons

Australia produced 800,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, a modest increase from 778,000 metric tons in 2023. BHP’s Olympic Dam operation in South Australia represents the nation’s primary copper mining asset, achieving a 10-year production high of 216,000 metric tons in 2024.

While Queensland’s Mount Isa complex, operated by a Glencore subsidiary, has historically contributed substantially to Australia’s copper producing output, the operation faces closure in the second half of 2025. Despite modest current production levels, Australia ranks among the world’s richest copper reserves repositories at 100 million metric tons—second only to China’s 190 million metric tons.

Kazakhstan: Entering the Global Top 10 Copper Producing Countries

Production Volume: 740,000 metric tons

Kazakhstan produced 740,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, matching the prior year’s output but marking the nation’s debut entry into the top 10 copper producing countries list. The achievement reflects years of production expansion; Kazakhstan generated only 510,000 metric tons as recently as 2021.

The country is pursuing aggressive growth targets through its National Development Plan, released in February 2024, which aims to increase mineral production by 40 percent by 2029. KAZ Minerals, Kazakhstan’s leading private mining firm, operates the Aktogay mine, which produced 228,800 metric tons of copper in 2024, down from 252,400 metric tons in 2023.

Mexico: Completing the Ranking of Top Copper Producing Countries

Production Volume: 700,000 metric tons

Mexico rounds out the top 10 copper producing countries with 700,000 metric tons of output in 2024, essentially flat compared to 2023. Grupo Mexico’s Buenavista del Cobre mine in Sonora represents the nation’s flagship copper producing operation, having yielded 725 million pounds of copper concentrate and 193 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023.

Grupo Mexico also operates La Caridad, Mexico’s second-largest copper mining facility, which produced 387,000 metric tons of copper concentrate alongside 51 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Top Copper Producing Countries

The composition of the world’s top 10 copper producing countries reflects both the maturity of established mining regions and the dynamic emergence of new supply sources. With energy transition demand projected to accelerate copper consumption while aging mines continue to challenge traditional suppliers, the competitive positioning among copper producing countries is likely to evolve significantly. Supply deficit forecasts suggest that efficient, well-capitalized producers among the top copper producing countries will benefit from favorable market conditions and improved operational economics in the years ahead.