Copper's Big Shift: Who's Producing the World's Copper Now
- Mining Visuals
- Apr 17
- 1 min read
This infographic illustrates the significant evolution of global copper production among the world's largest producers from 1970 to approximately 2024. During this period, total world output has expanded considerably, reaching an estimated 23.0 million metric tons (MT) recently.
The data reveals notable shifts in production. While the United States was a leading producer in 1970, its relative global share has diminished over the decades.
Conversely, Chile experienced substantial growth, particularly from the late 1980s, emerging as the world's dominant copper producer – a position it maintains today with an estimated output of 5.3 MT.
More recent dramatic increases are evident for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Peru, elevating them to the second and third largest producers, respectively (estimated at 3.1 MT and 2.8 MT). China also saw significant growth from the early 2000s, becoming another major producer (est. 1.8 MT).
Throughout this timeframe, Russia has maintained relatively consistent output, remaining one of the top six producers (est. 0.9 MT).
In summary, the global landscape for copper production has undergone a marked transformation over the past five decades, characterized by major shifts in the ranking of leading producer nations and substantial overall growth in supply.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2025, https://ourworldindata.org/
Disclaimer: Data presented is sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries (January 2025) and ourworldindata.org, intended for general informational purposes only. Recent figures may be estimates. Accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. This does not constitute financial or investment advice. Conduct your own research before making decisions.
