1. Codelco
Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) has consistently held its position as the world’s largest copper producer. The state-owned Chilean group is known for its significant reserves of the metal — the most extensive in the industry, with over 200 years worth of reserves. In 2024, Codelco produced nearly 1.6 million metric tons of fine copper. It continues to explore new drilling sites throughout Chile and expand through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
2. BHP Group
BHP Group is a worldwide leader in copper production. The Australian-based multinational operates several copper mines in South America and Australia. In 2024, the company’s copper output was a little under 1.5 million metric tons. BHP Group has made strides through the years to boost efficiency and production, ensuring they remain a powerful force in global copper production.
3. Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
Based in the USA, Freeport-McMoRan is one of the world’s leading mining companies specializing in copper, gold, and molybdenum mining. In 2024, they recorded a production of about 1.3 million metric tons of copper, primarily from their sites in North and South America. Their Grasberg mine in Indonesia is one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits.
4. Glencore PLC
Swiss-based Glencore is one of the largest globally diversified natural resources companies in the world. Copper production is one of its core operations, with a recorded production of 1.26 million metric tons of the red metal in 2024. Glencore operates in over 35 countries across the globe but its prominent copper mines are predominantly in South America.
5. Southern Copper Corporation
Southern Copper, a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, is one of the largest integrated copper producers in the world. The company’s copper production in 2024 amounted to 1.02 million metric tons. Southern Copper’s assets include mine sites in Mexico and Peru, where the company extracts copper, molybdenum, zinc, and silver.
6. Anglo American PLC
A UK-based mining giant, Anglo American is a significant player in copper production, particularly in Chile. Their copper output in 2024 tallied around 680,000 metric tons. Anglo American operates the Los Bronces copper mine, which is one of the largest copper reserves globally.
7. Antofagasta PLC
Antofagasta PLC, another major London-based miner, produced over 668,000 metric tons of copper in 2024. They have been operating since 1888 and have majority stakes in four Chilean copper mines: Los Pelambres, Esperanza, El Tesoro, and Michilla.
8. First Quantum Minerals
First Quantum Minerals, a Canada-based copper-producing company, has a diversified portfolio of mines mainly in Africa, Spain, and Turkey. In 2024, the company produced around 650,000 metric tons of copper.
9. MMG Limited
MMG Limited is a mid-tier global resources company that mines, explores, and develops projects around the world. Based in Australia, MMG’s primary commodity is copper, with a production of roughly 590,000 metric tons in 2024. Their flagship asset is the Las Bambas mine in Peru, one of the largest copper prospects worldwide.
10. Zijin Mining Group
Rounding out the top ten is Zijin Mining Group, the largest mining company in China. Their 2024 copper production amounted to around 530,000 metric tons. They boast assets around the world, with prominent mines located in the Congo (Kinshasa), Peru, China, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Papua New Guinea.