Ranking of the world’s largest copper mines
The world’s largest copper mines lie at the heart of the global industrial and energy transformation. As one of the most essential raw materials across various industries from electric vehicle manufacturing to energy transmission infrastructure copper plays a key role in driving economic growth. With the rising demand for renewable energy and the global push toward a carbon free future, the need for copper increases year after year. According to projections by BHP, global demand for copper is expected to rise by approximately 70% by 2050, reaching nearly 50 million metric tons annually.
Meeting this enormous demand will not be possible without large-scale investments in the world’s top copper mines and the development of new resources. BloombergNEF estimates that around $2.1 trillion in investment will be required by 2050 to support this transition. Below is a list of the top 10 copper mines in 2024, ranked by production volume.
- Escondida Mine( The World's Leading Copper Mine )
Located in Chile, the Escondida Mine maintained its top position among the world’s largest copper mines in 2024, with an annual production of 1.28 million metric tons.
Operated by BHP, which holds a 57.5% stake, the mine is co-owned by Rio Tinto (30%) and a consortium of Japanese firms, Mitsubishi and JX Advanced Metals, which jointly hold the remaining 12.5%.
- Grasberg Mine (Regaining Momentum After Crisis)
The Grasberg Mine in Indonesia saw a production increase of 8.4% compared to the previous year, reaching 816,466 metric tons in 2024. It now ranks as the second-largest copper mine in the world.
- Collahuasi (Chile’s Third Giant)
Situated in northern Chile, the Collahuasi Mine produced 558,636 metric tons of copper in 2024, earning it the third spot on the global list. It is jointly owned by Glencore, Anglo American, and Mitsui.
- Kamoa-Kakula (Green Growth in the Heart of Africa)
Located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kamoa-Kakula is one of the most advanced clean-production copper projects among the world’s largest mines. In 2024, it achieved a production volume of 437,061 metric tons.
- Buenavista Mine (North America’s Oldest Operating Copper Mine)
Mexico’s Buenavista Mine ranks fifth with a production of 433,000 metric tons in 2024. It is also considered one of the most enduring active copper mines in the Americas due to its long standing operations.
- Cerro Verde (Peru’s Open-Pit Powerhouse)
The Cerro Verde Mine is one of the largest open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complexes in Peru. Jointly operated by Freeport McMoRan, Buenaventura, and Sumitomo, the mine produced 430,459 metric tons of copper in 2024 a 3.71% decrease compared to 2023.
- Antamina (A Joint Venture of Mining Giants)
Located in the highlands of Peru, the Antamina Mine is a result of collaboration between four mining giants: Glencore, BHP, Teck Resources, and Mitsubishi. In 2024, the mine produced 413,000 metric tons of copper, reflecting a 2.13% drop from the previous year.
- Tenke Fungurume (Surging Production in the DRC)
The Tenke Fungurume Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported a remarkable 42.7% year on year increase, producing around 400,000 metric tons of copper in 2024. This growth follows a $2.51 billion investment made in 2021 by China’s CMOC, in partnership with the state-owned Gécamines, which doubled the mine's capacity and came into full effect by 2023.
- KGHM Polska Miedz (Europe’s Sole Representative)
Poland’s KGHM Polska Miedz produced 395,160 metric tons of copper in 2024, making it Europe’s only representative among the world’s top 10 copper mines.
- Polar Division (Russia’s Leading Copper Producer)
The Polar Division Mine, owned by Norilsk Nickel, produced approximately 345,000 metric tons of copper in 2024. This marks a 6.3% increase from 324,600 tons in 2023 and secures its position as the tenth-largest copper mine in the world.
The Vital Role of the World’s Largest Copper Mines in the Future of Industry and Energy
The world’s top copper mines are the backbone of the global copper supply chain for the coming decades. As clean energy demand continues to rise, these mines will play a critical role in achieving net zero carbon goals.
Sustained investment, smart operations, and infrastructure development in these sites will be essential to maintaining the balance between copper supply and demand on a global scale.