Global Copper Production by Country in 2024: Understanding the Top 10 Ranking

The landscape of global copper production by country has become increasingly critical as the industry grapples with aging mining infrastructure and surging demand from the energy transition. In 2024, worldwide copper production reached 23 million metric tons, reflecting both the opportunities and challenges facing producers worldwide. The copper market experienced significant volatility last year, culminating in the red metal reaching unprecedented levels above $5 per pound in May 2024—a historic breakthrough that underscored growing supply pressures and evolving market dynamics.

Supply and Demand Dynamics in Copper Markets

The global copper production landscape is being reshaped by two powerful forces. On one hand, mines across major producing nations continue to age without sufficient new capacity to replace retiring operations. On the other hand, electrification initiatives and renewable energy transitions are expected to drive copper demand substantially higher in the coming years.

Paradoxically, despite tight supply conditions, demand growth has remained somewhat muted as China—traditionally the world’s largest copper consumer for infrastructure projects—focuses its efforts on economic stimulus measures. However, analysts project that copper production by country will face persistent supply deficits over the next several years, a structural imbalance that should provide meaningful support for copper prices and enhance profitability across the mining sector.

According to the latest US Geological Survey (USGS) data and supplementary information from Mining Data Online (MDO), understanding copper production by country reveals significant geographic concentration and evolving competitive dynamics.

1. Chile: The Undisputed Leader in Copper Production

Chile remains the global champion of copper production, dominating the market with 5.3 million metric tons in 2024—representing approximately 23 percent of total global output. The country’s copper production by country ranking reflects its geological advantages and established operational infrastructure.

The nation hosts operations from virtually every major global mining corporation, including state-owned Codelco, Anglo American, Glencore, and Antofagasta. Most notably, BHP’s Escondida remains the world’s largest copper mine, with annual production in the 2 million metric ton range. BHP owns 57.5 percent of Escondida, Rio Tinto controls 30 percent, and Jeco holds the remaining stake. BHP’s share of production reached 1.13 million metric tons in 2024.

Looking ahead, Chile’s copper production is positioned for significant expansion. According to S&P Global forecasts, output is expected to rebound to record levels in 2025, potentially reaching 6 million metric tons as newly developed mines ramp up operational capacity.

2. Democratic Republic of Congo: The Emerging Powerhouse

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has emerged as the second-largest contributor to global copper production by country metrics, reaching 3.3 million metric tons in 2024—more than 11 percent of worldwide output. This marked a substantial increase from 2.93 million metric tons in 2023, reflecting the country’s rapidly expanding mining sector.

A major driver of this growth has been Phase 3 of Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa-Kakula project, which achieved commercial production in August 2024 through a joint venture with Zijin Mining Group. The operation produced 437,061 metric tons of copper in 2024, up from 393,551 metric tons the previous year. Ivanhoe has established ambitious production targets, guiding for 520,000 to 580,000 metric tons in 2025, signaling further acceleration in DRC copper production.

3. Peru: Navigating Production Challenges

Peru’s copper production by country standing reflects its significant mineral endowment, though the nation produced 2.6 million metric tons in 2024—a decline of 160,000 metric tons from 2023 levels. This contraction stemmed partly from a 3.7 percent production decrease at Freeport-McMoRan’s Cerro Verde, Peru’s largest copper mine, which generated 1.94 million metric tons of copper concentrate in 2023.

Freeport-McMoRan attributed the decline in its Peruvian operations to lower stockpiled leach ore volumes and reduced milling rates related to maintenance activities. Other significant operations contributing to Peru’s copper production include Anglo American’s Quellaveco mine and Southern Copper’s Tia Maria project. Peru’s copper output finds its primary destination in China and Japan, with secondary exports to South Korea and Germany.

4. China: Refining the Global Copper Supply Chain

China’s copper production reached 1.8 million metric tons in 2024, marginally lower than 1.82 million metric tons in 2023, continuing a steady decline from its 2021 peak of 1.91 million metric tons. However, this figure tells only part of the story of China’s role in global copper production by country rankings.

The nation’s refined copper production capability is unmatched, reaching 12 million metric tons in 2024—representing more than 44 percent of worldwide refined copper output, roughly six times Chile’s refining capacity. China also maintains the world’s largest proven copper reserves at 190 million metric tons. Zijin Mining Group has become the leading domestic producer, acquiring controlling interest in Tibet’s Qulong copper-molybdenum-silver-gold mine during 2024, positioning it as China’s largest copper mine. Production at Qulong was estimated at 366 million pounds of copper in 2024, up from 340 million pounds in 2023.

5. Indonesia: Rising Through the Global Ranks

Indonesia’s copper production reached 1.1 million metric tons in 2024, advancing past the United States and Russia to claim fifth position in global copper production by country classifications. This represents substantial growth from 907,000 metric tons in 2023 and just 731,000 metric tons in 2021.

Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg complex remains the nation’s flagship operation, with 2023 production reaching 1.66 billion pounds of copper. Meanwhile, PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau mine is positioned for dramatic expansion, with 2024 output estimated to reach 1.84 billion pounds—up sharply from 542 million pounds in 2023—as the operation processes high-grade ore from its Phase 7 cutback. In mid-2024, Amman Minerals commissioned a new smelting facility designed to process 900,000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually, producing 222,000 metric tons of refined copper cathodes and 830,000 metric tons of sulfuric acid.

6. United States: Steady Contributor to Global Supply

The United States produced 1.1 million metric tons of copper in 2024, maintaining relative stability with only a 30,000 metric ton decline from 2023. However, this figure represents a notable decrease from the 1.23 million metric tons achieved in 2022, reflecting operational challenges in the domestic copper production by country sector.

Arizona dominates domestic production, accounting for 70 percent of total US supply, with significant contributions from Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico. Seventeen mines collectively generate 99 percent of American copper output. Freeport-McMoRan’s Morenci mine in Arizona, operated as a joint venture with Sumitomo, represents the nation’s largest operation, producing 700 million pounds of copper metal in 2024. Additional major facilities include Freeport-McMoRan’s Safford and Sierrita mines, contributing 249 million metric tons and 165 million metric tons respectively.

7. Russia: Expanding Production Through New Development

Russia’s copper production rose to 930,000 metric tons in 2024, marking a sizable increase from 890,000 metric tons in 2023. This expansion reflects the strategic ramp-up of Phase 1 production at Udokan Copper’s Siberian Udokan mine, which was engineered to produce approximately 135,000 metric tons in 2024 despite experiencing operational disruptions at year-end 2023.

The mine’s phased development strategy is particularly noteworthy for global copper production by country dynamics. Phase 2 is expected to commence in 2028, ultimately scaling production to 450,000 metric tons annually.

8. Australia: Consistent Supply From Established Operations

Australia contributed 800,000 metric tons to global copper production in 2024, a marginal increase from 778,000 metric tons in 2023. BHP’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia achieved a 10-year production high of 216,000 metric tons in 2024, leading domestic output.

Queensland hosts the Mount Isa complex, managed by a Glencore subsidiary, which has historically ranked among Australia’s largest copper producers. However, this operation is scheduled for closure in the second half of 2025. Despite modest production volumes relative to leading copper-producing nations, Australia ranks second globally in copper reserves at 100 million metric tons, trailing only China’s 190 million metric tons.

9. Kazakhstan: New Entrant to the Top 10

Kazakhstan entered the top 10 copper production by country rankings in 2024 with 740,000 metric tons—maintaining parity with 2023 levels while leapfrogging Mexico and Zambia. This achievement reflects the nation’s impressive growth trajectory, with production climbing from just 510,000 metric tons in 2021.

Kazakhstan’s expansion strategy received formal support through the government’s National Development Plan, released in February 2024, which targets a 40 percent increase in mineral production by 2029. The initiative encompasses enhanced exploration efforts, project co-financing mechanisms, and tax incentives to attract foreign investment. KAZ Minerals, a prominent domestic producer, operates the Aktogay mine, which generated 228,800 metric tons of copper during 2024, down slightly from 252,400 metric tons in 2023.

10. Mexico: Completing the Global Top 10

Mexico rounded out the top 10 copper producers with 700,000 metric tons in 2024, virtually unchanged from the prior year’s output. Grupo Mexico’s Buenavista del Cobre mine in Sonora stands as the nation’s largest operation, producing 725 million pounds of copper concentrate and 193 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023. Grupo Mexico additionally operates La Caridad, Mexico’s second-largest copper mine, which generated 387,000 metric tons of copper concentrate and 51 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023.

Future Trajectory for Copper Production by Country

Understanding global copper production by country provides essential context for the industry’s evolution. The concentration of supply among the top 10 producers underscores both the geographic constraints on expansion and the critical importance of operational efficiency. As demand from electrification initiatives accelerates and aging mines face capacity challenges, the copper production by country landscape will likely experience significant restructuring over the coming years. New mine development and mine life extension projects will become increasingly vital to meeting projected supply deficits and sustaining price stability in this essential metal market.