Ranked: Topmost Copper Producers of the World in 2022

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Mining Intelligence ranked the list of world’s topmost copper producers in 2022.

The Santiago-headquartered Chilean state miner Codelco emerged as the world’s leading copper producer, recording a production of 1,552.1 kilotonnes (kt) in 2022. The production posted decline by 10% over the previous year.

In second place was Phoenix, Arizona-based US miner Freeport-McMoRan with production of 1,296.9 kt in 2022. The production surged higher by 7% over 2021. The third biggest copper producer was the BHP Group, which had significantly boosted its exposure to copper projects during the previous year. The Australia-based mining giant increased its copper output by 6% over the previous year to total 1,108 kt in 2022.

Glencore was ranked fourth, with annual production of 993.4 kt in 2022. The production recorded sharp decline by 17% over 2021. Southern Copper was placed fifth in the list with a production of 895.2 kt, which was down by 7% from the year before. The production by First Quantum Minerals totalled 740.8 kt, more or less unchanged over the prior year. The Vancouver-based miner was ranked sixth in the list.

The other producers among the top-ten producers along with their production are as follows: Zijin Mining (676.7 kt), KGHM (536.6 kt), Rio Tinto (521 kt) and Anglo American (468.3 kt).