RANKED: The World’s Top 20 Copper Mines in 2025

By MiningFocus Africa Staff Writer

Global copper markets are entering a period of heightened tension. Prices in London recently hit a 16‑month high, while BHP forecasts demand to rise by at least one million tonnes annually, climbing from today’s 33 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes by 2050. According to the US Geological Survey, supply will need to at least double to avoid a severe crunch.

Yet, just as demand accelerates, some of the world’s largest producers are facing setbacks. Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg mine in Indonesia has been suspended following a deadly landslide, Ivanhoe’s Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was forced to halt operations after flooding, and Teck Resources has cut guidance at both Quebrada Blanca in Chile and Highland Valley in Canada.

Against this backdrop, here is the ranking of the Top 20 copper mines worldwide in the first half of 2025, measured in kilotonnes (kt) of copper produced.

Top 20 Copper Mines (H1 2025)

1. Escondida, Chile – 680.5 kt
The world’s largest copper mine, operated by BHP with partners Rio Tinto, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Mining, retains its crown. Analysts note that the proposed $53 billion Anglo American–Teck merger could reshape the global copper landscape.

2. Grasberg, Indonesia – 297.1 kt
Jointly owned by Freeport-McMoRan and the Indonesian state, Grasberg’s production was halted in September after a landslide killed seven workers.

3. Kamoa-Kakula, DRC – 245.1 kt
Operated by Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining, the mine was temporarily shut after seismic activity caused severe flooding.

4. Buenavista, Mexico – 207.5 kt
Owned by Southern Copper, Buenavista has been in continuous operation since 1899.

5. Cerro Verde, Peru – 193.3 kt
A Freeport-led joint venture, Cerro Verde is home to one of the world’s first SX/EW facilities, built in 1972.

6. Collahuasi, Chile – 189.6 kt
Co-owned by Glencore, Anglo American, and Mitsui, Collahuasi has faced lagging output flagged by Chilean authorities.

7. El Teniente, Chile – 172.0 kt
Codelco’s flagship underground mine suffered a collapse triggered by a July earthquake, costing up to 30,000 tonnes in lost output.

8. Quellaveco, Peru – 156.6 kt
Anglo American and Mitsubishi’s joint venture is undergoing a $26 million upgrade.

9. Antamina, Peru – 154.4 kt
Co-owned by BHP, Glencore, Teck, and Mitsubishi, Antamina is forecasting a 20% production boost in 2026.

10. Morenci, USA (Arizona) – 152.5 kt
Freeport and Sumitomo’s Morenci mine has been producing copper since 1871.
11. Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia – 152.0 kt
Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi is on track to deliver an average of 500,000 tonnes annually between 2028 and 2036.

12. Los Pelambres, Chile – 143.2 kt
Antofagasta’s joint venture faces potential strike action after supervisors rejected a contract offer.
13. Spence, Chile – 141.3 kt
BHP’s Spence became the company’s first fully autonomous operation in 2024.

14. Radomiro Tomic, Chile – 139.2 kt
Codelco secured a new three-year labor contract, ending recurring disputes.

15. Toquepala, Peru – 128.5 kt
Southern Copper invested $1.2 billion in expanding Toquepala a decade ago.

16. Olympic Dam, Australia – 117.0 kt
BHP has committed A$840 million to growth projects ahead of a major expansion decision in 2028.

17. Chuquicamata, Chile – 115.3 kt
Another Codelco giant, Chuquicamata recently reached an early labor agreement.

18. Salobo, Brazil – 102.8 kt
Vale’s Salobo mine resumed operations after a fire-related suspension in 2024.

19. Mt Isa, Australia – 98.9 kt
Glencore has shut its final copper mines in Mount Isa, ending more than six decades of operations.

20. Quebrada Blanca, Chile – 95.0 kt
Teck, Sumitomo, and Codelco’s joint venture has deferred expansion projects amid output challenges.

Notable Omissions

Several major operations narrowly missed the top 20, including First Quantum’s Trident-Sentinel (89.5 kt) and Kansanshi (86.6 kt) in Zambia, Western Mining’s Yulong (83.4 kt) in China, and Anglo American’s Los Bronces (80.3 kt) in Chile.

Outlook

The 2025 rankings underscore both the dominance of South America—particularly Chile and Peru—and the growing importance of African producers like the DRC’s Kamoa-Kakula. However, operational risks, ESG hurdles, and labor disputes continue to weigh heavily on global supply.

With demand projected to soar, the copper industry faces a defining decade: either unlock new supply through investment and innovation, or risk a structural deficit that could reshape global markets.