The red metal is vital to the transition to an electrified economy, and it is also a barometer of global economic health.
While the copper price has seen some recent turmoil due to fast-rising interest rates and weak economic data, what remains steadfast is how much the world needs copper, as the highly conductive metal is a key component of industrial infrastructure and electric vehicles.
MiningIntelligence data show the top copper producers in the world based on 2021 production and measured in kilotonnes (kt).
#1 Codelco
Coming in at first place is Chile’s state- owned copper Codelco, with 1,728 kt of copper produced in 2021.
#2 Freeport McMoRan
Phoenix, Arizona – based Freeport McMoRan takes second place, with 1,210 kt produced during the year.
#3 Glencore
Swiss commodities giant Glencore is in third place, with 1,196 kt of copper produced.
#4 BHP Group
Melbourne, Australia based BHP is the world’s biggest miner, but takes fourth place on our list, with 1,045 kt of copper produced in 2021.
#5 Southern Copper
Mexico City’s Southern Copper produced 958 kt in 2021, snagging no. 5 on our list.
#6 First Quantum Minerals
First Quantum Minerals, based in Vancouver, Canada, is in sixth place, with 743 kt of copper produced for the year.
#7 KGHM Polska Miedz
Polish miner KGHM Polska Miedz secured seventh place, with 562 kt of copper produced.
#8 Antofagasta
London, UK based Antofagasta produced 486 kt of copper for the year, taking eighth place in the ranking.
#9 Zijin Mining
Zijin Mining, based in Shanghang, China, is in ninth place with 477 kt of copper produced.
#10 Anglo American
London- listed miner Anglo American rounds out our list, with 463 kt of copper produced in 2021.
Download the Miningintelligence data here.
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