Copper
Companies
Key Companies in the Copper Value Chain
The Copper industry encompasses at least 7 major companies from junior explorers and mine developers to integrated producers and downstream processors. With annual production of 22 million tonnes and prices around 12,600-13,000 $/tonne, the Copper market supports a diverse corporate ecosystem.
Annual Production
22 million
tonnes
Market Price
12,600-13,000
$/tonne
Top Producer
Chile
24% share
Companies Tracked
7
Major Producers and Processors
The following companies are key participants in the Copper supply chain:
Codelco
Chilean state-owned company and worlds largest copper producer; operates El Teniente (worlds largest underground mine), Chuquicamata, Radomiro Tomic, and other major mines
Freeport-McMoRan
Operates the Grasberg mine in Indonesia (worlds largest gold mine and second-largest copper mine) and major US operations including Morenci
BHP
Operates Escondida in Chile (worlds largest copper mine by output) and Olympic Dam in Australia; proposed $50B merger with Anglo American for copper assets
Southern Copper
Subsidiary of Grupo Mexico; operates major mines in Peru (Toquepala, Cuajone) and Mexico; holds one of the industrys largest reserve bases
Rio Tinto
Operates Kennecott in Utah, the Oyu Tolgoi underground expansion in Mongolia, and Resolution Copper development in Arizona
First Quantum Minerals
Operates Cobre Panama (one of worlds largest new copper mines, currently suspended) and Kansanshi and Sentinel in Zambia
Jiangxi Copper
Chinas largest copper smelter and one of the worlds top refined copper producers
Active Operations and Development Projects
These are the key Copper operations and development-stage projects associated with the companies above:
Escondida
BHP (57.5%), Rio Tinto, JECO
Worlds largest copper mine by output, located in the Atacama Desert; open-pit sulfide and SX-EW oxide processing
Oyu Tolgoi Underground
Rio Tinto/Turquoise Hill/Mongolia
One of the largest copper-gold deposits globally; underground block cave began producing in 2023 after cost overruns and delays
Resolution Copper
Rio Tinto/BHP
Massive deep underground deposit in Arizona; faces Native American sacred site opposition and permitting challenges
Corporate Strategy Trends
Major consumers of Copper across the electrical wiring and power cables and electric vehicle motors and wiring sectors are increasingly focused on securing long-term supply agreements, investing in supply chain traceability, and supporting new production sources to reduce exposure to the 24% concentration in Chile.
More on Copper
Explore other aspects of the Copper value chain.
Uses & Applications
Explore uses & applications for Copper.
Supply Chain
Explore supply chain for Copper.
Mining & Processing
Explore mining & processing for Copper.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore refining & grade specs for Copper.
Recycling
Explore recycling for Copper.
Substitutes
Explore substitutes for Copper.
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