Global Copper Production by Country: 2024 Market Dynamics and Leading Producers

The global copper production landscape continues to shift as mining nations navigate the intersection of aging infrastructure and surging demand. In 2024, worldwide copper production reached 23 million metric tons, with copper production by country showing dramatic concentration in a handful of key players. This analysis examines the top copper mining nations and the factors driving their output, alongside the structural challenges reshaping the copper supply equation.

The World’s Copper Production Challenges and Opportunities

Concerns about long-term copper supply sustainability have intensified as established mines in traditional copper-producing countries continue to age without sufficient new capacity coming online. Meanwhile, copper demand is projected to spike significantly due to global electrification efforts and energy transition initiatives. During 2024, copper markets experienced substantial volatility—the red metal achieved a historic milestone in May when it exceeded $5 per pound for the first time. Despite such price momentum, actual consumption from the energy transition sector has remained relatively subdued, particularly as China—historically the world’s largest copper consumer for infrastructure projects—grapples with economic stimulus challenges. Looking ahead, industry forecasts suggest the copper market will transition into structural supply deficits within the next few years, potentially providing significant tailwinds for both copper pricing and mining company profitability. For investors and market participants evaluating opportunities in copper production by country, understanding the geographic distribution of output becomes critical.

Top-Tier Copper Production Powers

Chile’s Dominant Position

Chile remains the unchallenged leader in copper production by country, accounting for approximately 23 percent of global output. The nation produced 5.3 million metric tons of copper in 2024, a position reinforced by its control of the world’s largest copper mine, Escondida. This operation, co-owned by BHP (57.5 percent stake), Rio Tinto (30 percent), and Jeco, generated 1.13 million MT of copper from BHP’s share alone during 2024. Beyond Escondida, Chile hosts operations from leading global miners including state-owned Codelco, Anglo American, Glencore, and Antofagasta. Notably, Chile’s copper production is anticipated to rebound to record levels in 2025, with projections reaching 6 million MT as new mining initiatives ramp up.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Rapid Ascent

The DRC has emerged as the second-largest copper producer, delivering 3.3 million metric tons in 2024—representing 11 percent of global copper production. This represents significant growth trajectory, up from 2.93 million MT in 2023. A major contributor to this acceleration is the Kamoa-Kakula project operated by Ivanhoe Mines in partnership with Zijin Mining Group, which achieved commercial production in August 2024. The operation generated 437,061 MT of copper during 2024, marking expansion from 393,551 MT the prior year. Further production increases are expected in 2025 as Ivanhoe targets 520,000 to 580,000 MT of annual copper output.

Mid-Tier Copper Production Nations

Peru and China: Contrasting Trajectories

Peru maintained its position as the third-largest copper producer with 2.6 million metric tons in 2024, though this represented a decline of 160,000 MT from 2023. The decline was partly attributable to a 3.7 percent production decrease at Freeport McMoRan’s Cerro Verde mine—Peru’s largest copper operation. Other significant Peru-based assets include Anglo American’s Quellaveco mine and Southern Copper’s Tia Maria project. Peru exports the majority of its copper production to China and Japan, with South Korea and Germany representing secondary destinations.

China’s direct copper mining output totaled 1.8 million metric tons in 2024, marking a modest decline from 1.82 million MT in 2023, extending a downward trend from the 1.91 million MT peak achieved in 2021. However, China’s significance in global copper production transcends raw mining—the nation’s refined copper production reached 12 million metric tons in 2024, representing over 44 percent of global refining capacity and roughly six times Chile’s refinery output. China also maintains the world’s largest copper reserves at 190 million MT. A notable development involved Zijin Mining Group acquiring a controlling 50.1 percent stake in the Qulong copper-molybdenum-silver-gold mine in Tibet during 2024, with plans to consolidate 100 percent ownership. Qulong is now China’s largest copper mine, producing an estimated 366 million pounds of copper in 2024.

Emerging Growth Centers in Copper Production

Southeast Asia’s Rising Share

Indonesia produced 1.1 million metric tons of copper in 2024, surpassing both the United States and Russia to claim fifth place in global copper production by country rankings. This output represents substantial acceleration from 907,000 MT in 2023 and 731,000 MT in 2021. Freeport McMoRan’s Grasberg complex remains Indonesia’s flagship operation, while PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau mine represents a secondary but growing contributor. Batu Hijau’s 2024 production is estimated to reach 1.84 billion pounds of copper concentrate as the operation processes high-grade ore from its Phase 7 expansion. Mid-2024 saw Amman Minerals commission a new smelting facility with 900,000 metric tons annual processing capacity, designed to produce 222,000 MT of copper cathodes annually.

North American and Russian Production Dynamics

The United States generated 1.1 million metric tons of copper in 2024, with Arizona accounting for 70 percent of domestic supply. The country operates 17 mines responsible for 99 percent of national copper production. Freeport McMoRan’s Morenci mine in Arizona—jointly operated with Sumitomo—stands as the nation’s largest, producing 700 million pounds of copper metal during 2024. Other key assets include Freeport’s Safford and Sierrita operations.

Russia’s copper production reached 930,000 metric tons in 2024, up from 890,000 MT the previous year, driven significantly by ramp-up production at Udokan Copper’s Siberian mine. Phase 1 operations were expected to generate up to 135,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, with Phase 2 anticipated to reach 450,000 MT capacity by 2028.

Established and Emerging Miners Shaping Production by Country

Australia’s Steady Contribution

Australia produced 800,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, slightly above 2023’s 778,000 MT. BHP’s Olympic Dam mine marked a 10-year high in copper production at 216,000 metric tons during 2024. Australia holds the second-highest copper reserves globally at 100 million metric tons, trailing only China. Glencore’s Mount Isa complex in Queensland—one of Australia’s leading copper producers—will cease operations in the second half of 2025.

Kazakhstan’s Strategic Expansion

Kazakhstan produced 740,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, a stable year-over-year result that nonetheless elevated the nation into the top 10 global rankings for copper production by country, leapfrogging Mexico and Zambia. Kazakhstan’s output has accelerated substantially from 510,000 MT just three years prior, reflecting execution of its National Development Plan released in February 2024. This strategic roadmap targets a 40 percent increase in mineral production by 2029 through enhanced exploration, project co-financing, and investment tax incentives. KAZ Minerals’ Aktogay mine, a private sector flagship, produced 228,800 metric tons during 2024.

Mexico’s Stable Position

Mexico rounded out the top ten global copper producers with 700,000 metric tons in 2024, representing marginal growth from 2023. Grupo Mexico’s Buenavista del Cobre mine in Sonora operates as the nation’s largest copper facility, while the company’s La Caridad mine represents Mexico’s second-largest copper asset.

Strategic Outlook for Copper Production by Country

The global copper production landscape reflects structural supply-demand imbalances likely to persist through the next several years. While traditional leaders like Chile and emerging powerhouses such as the DRC expand capacity, aging mine infrastructure and project development timelines suggest supply-deficit scenarios may emerge. Nations investing in copper production by country expansion—particularly Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and the DRC—are positioning themselves to capture market share and capitalize on rising copper demand from electrification and renewable energy infrastructure buildouts. Monitoring copper production by country metrics remains essential for understanding long-term commodity trends and investment opportunities in the mining sector.