Global Copper Production 2024: Which Countries Are the Highest Copper Producing Nations?

The world’s copper supply chain faced mounting pressures throughout 2024 as demand from electrification and energy transition initiatives continued to climb. Meanwhile, aging mines in the highest copper producing countries struggled to maintain output without new capacity coming online. This dynamic created both challenges and opportunities in the global copper market, culminating in copper prices breaking through the $5 per pound barrier for the first time in May 2024. But while energy transition demand offers long-term tailwinds, China’s economic slowdown tempered near-term consumption, creating a complex landscape for investors tracking copper supply dynamics.

According to the latest US Geological Survey data, global copper production reached 23 million metric tons in 2024. Yet understanding which countries dominate copper mining requires looking beyond headline figures. The highest copper producing country continues to enjoy substantial advantages in reserves, infrastructure, and operational expertise—advantages that may not shift significantly in the near term despite rising competition.

Understanding the Global Copper Landscape

The highest copper producing nations collectively control the backbone of the global metal supply. Between production output, reserve holdings, and refining capacity, these countries shape everything from grid infrastructure to EV battery production. What’s notable is that several major miners have begun shifting focus toward exploration and expansion in emerging producers, signaling expectations of supply deficits over the next five to ten years.

Mining output data from the US Geological Survey and Mining Data Online reveals a tiered structure: a handful of countries account for roughly 70% of global copper extraction, while the remaining production is scattered across secondary producers. This concentration creates vulnerability in the supply chain—disruptions in the top producers can ripple through global markets within weeks.

The Powerhouses: Understanding the Highest Copper Producing Regions

1. Chile: The Undisputed Leader

Chile remains the highest copper producing country globally, extracting 5.3 million metric tons in 2024 and commanding approximately 23% of worldwide output. The nation’s dominance stems from Escondida, the world’s largest active copper mine, where BHP holds a 57.5% stake, Rio Tinto maintains 30%, and Jeco holds the remainder. BHP’s portion generated 1.13 million MT of copper in 2024 alone.

Beyond Escondida, Chile hosts operations from industry giants Codelco (state-owned), Anglo American, Glencore, and Antofagasta. Notably, Chilean copper production is expected to rebound to record levels in 2025, potentially surpassing 6 million MT as new mining projects ramp up operations. This projected increase underscores why Chile remains the benchmark against which other highest copper producing countries measure their output.

2. Democratic Republic of Congo: The Rising Giant

The Democratic Republic of Congo surged to second place with 3.3 million metric tons in 2024, representing over 11% of global production. This marked a substantial jump from 2.93 million MT in 2023, driven largely by the ramp-up of Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining Group’s Kamoa-Kakula project. The Kamoa-Kakula operation achieved commercial production in August 2024 and delivered 437,061 MT of copper that year.

The DRC’s emergence as a major player among the highest copper producing countries reflects both African mining expansion and Chinese investment strategies. Ivanhoe projects further output gains in 2025, with guidance targeting between 520,000 and 580,000 MT from Kamoa-Kakula alone—demonstrating why the DRC entered serious contention with established producers.

3. Peru: Stability Amid Headwinds

Peru maintained third-place status in 2024 with 2.6 million metric tons, though this represented a 160,000 MT decline from 2023. The slip came largely from Freeport McMoRan’s Cerro Verde mine, which saw a 3.7% production dip tied to lower stockpiled leach ore volumes and maintenance-related milling rate reductions. Despite being a perennial entry among the highest copper producing countries, Peru’s output remains vulnerable to operational disruptions.

Cerro Verde produced 1.94 million MT of copper concentrate in 2023, making it Peru’s largest operation. Anglo American’s Quellaveco mine and Southern Copper’s Tia Maria represent secondary assets contributing to the nation’s standing. Most Peruvian copper flows to China, Japan, South Korea, and Germany, highlighting the export-dependent nature of the country’s mining sector.

4. China: The Refining Powerhouse

While China produced 1.8 million metric tons of ore-based copper in 2024 (down marginally from 1.82 million MT in 2023), the country’s true dominance lies in refined copper processing. Chinese refineries processed 12 million metric tons of refined copper in 2024—more than 44% of global refined copper output and six times the refining capacity of Chile, the second-ranked nation.

Furthermore, China holds the world’s largest copper reserves at 190 million MT. Zijin Mining Group operates the Qulong copper-molybdenum-silver-gold complex in Tibet, China’s largest copper mine. The company acquired a 50.1% interest in Qulong’s owner in 2024 and is consolidating toward full ownership. The Qulong operation produced 340 million pounds of copper in 2023 and an estimated 366 million pounds in 2024, reflecting China’s strategy of vertically integrating mining with refining.

5. Indonesia: Ascending the Ranks

Indonesia produced 1.1 million metric tons of copper in 2024, surpassing both Russia and the United States to claim fifth position among the highest copper producing countries. Production has climbed steadily from 907,000 MT in 2023 and 731,000 MT in 2021—a compelling growth trajectory that reflects expanded operations and processing upgrades.

Freeport McMoRan’s Grasberg complex remains the country’s flagship asset, generating 1.66 billion pounds of copper in 2023. PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau operation contributed 542 million pounds of copper concentrate in 2023, with 2024 expected to deliver a significant jump to 1.84 billion pounds as higher-grade Phase 7 ore entered processing. Additionally, Amman Minerals commissioned a dedicated smelting facility in mid-2024 capable of processing 900,000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually into 222,000 MT of copper cathodes.

6. United States: Domestic Supply Anchor

The United States produced 1.1 million metric tons of copper in 2024, only 30,000 MT below 2023 levels but notably down from the 1.23 million MT achieved in 2022. Arizona accounts for 70% of domestic U.S. copper output, with significant secondary contributions from Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico. Across the nation, 17 major mining operations generate 99% of U.S. copper supply.

Freeport McMoRan’s Morenci mine in Arizona, operated jointly with Sumitomo, ranks as America’s largest copper producer, generating 700 million pounds of copper metal in 2024 and maintaining 12.63 million MT in proven and probable reserves. Freeport’s Safford and Sierrita mines contributed an additional 249 million MT and 165 million MT of copper respectively, cementing the company’s dominance within domestic operations.

7. Russia: Ramping Siberian Production

Russia generated 930,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, up from 890,000 MT in 2023. This increase was fueled primarily by the production ramp-up at Udokan Copper’s Udokan mine in Siberia. Despite experiencing multiple fires at the end of 2023, the operation remained on track to produce approximately 135,000 metric tons in 2024. Once Udokan’s Phase 2 expansion comes online in 2028, output is projected to reach 450,000 MT, significantly boosting Russia’s contribution to global supply.

8. Australia: Reserve Strength

Australia produced 800,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, marginally higher than the 778,000 MT output in 2023. BHP’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia delivered 216,000 metric tons—marking a 10-year production high for that operation. Queensland’s Mount Isa complex, operated by a Glencore subsidiary, has historically been one of Australia’s largest copper contributors, though operations are scheduled to close in the second half of 2025.

Australia’s current output places it among the world’s highest copper producing countries by volume, yet the nation’s true asset lies in reserves. Australia holds 100 million metric tons of proven copper reserves, tied with Peru for second place globally behind China’s 190 million MT reserve base.

9. Kazakhstan: The Emerging Contender

Kazakhstan produced 740,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, matching 2023 levels but sufficiently robust to enter the global top 10 for the first time, leapfrogging Mexico and Zambia. The nation’s production has expanded dramatically from just 510,000 MT in 2021, reflecting deliberate investment and operational improvements. Kazakhstan’s government released a National Development Plan in February 2024 targeting a 40% increase in mineral production by 2029 through expanded exploration, project co-financing, and tax incentives.

KAZ Minerals, a privately held company, operates the Aktogay mine, which contributed 228,800 metric tons of copper during 2024—though down slightly from 252,400 MT in 2023. Despite this single-year decline, Kazakhstan’s overall trajectory positions it among the highest copper producing countries to watch over the next decade.

10. Mexico: Maintaining Position

Mexico rounded out the top 10 with 700,000 metric tons of copper in 2024, virtually flat from its 2023 output of 699,000 MT. Grupo Mexico operates Buenavista del Cobre in Sonora, the nation’s largest copper mine, which produced 725 million pounds of copper concentrate and 193 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023. The same company owns La Caridad, Mexico’s second-largest operation, which contributed 387,000 MT of copper concentrate and 51 million pounds of copper cathode in 2023.

The Outlook for the Highest Copper Producing Nations

The competitive landscape among the highest copper producing countries will continue evolving as global demand for copper intensifies. Supply deficits are now widely forecast for the coming five to ten years, creating opportunities for both incumbent producers and emerging competitors. Chile will likely maintain its crown, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia represent the most dynamic growth vectors. For investors analyzing copper exposure, tracking production trends across these jurisdictions remains essential to understanding long-term metal supply dynamics.