Here are the ten largest copper mines by production across the world in 2021, according to GlobalData’s mining database.
1. Escondida Mine
The Escondida Mine is a surface mine situated in Antofagasta, Chile. Owned by BHP, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 1,011 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine will operate until 2078.
2. San Vicente Mine
Located in Potosi, Bolivia, the San Vicente Mine is owned by Pan American Silver. The underground mine produced an estimated 694.7 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine will operate until 2024.
3. Collahuasi Mine
The Collahuasi Mine is a surface mine located in Tarapaca, Chile. Owned by Glencore Plc, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 630 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine will operate until 2088.
4. El Teniente Mine
Owned by Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile, the El Teniente Mine is an underground mine situated in Cachapoal, Chile. The brownfield mine produced an estimated 463 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The expected mine closure date is 2072.
5. Antamina Mine
The Antamina Mine is a surface mine situated in Ancash, Peru. Owned by Glencore Plc, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 426.7 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine is expected to operate until 2028.
6. Cerro Verde Mine
The Cerro Verde Mine is a surface mine situated in Arequipa, Peru. Owned by Freeport-McMoRan, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 402.3 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine will operate until 2051.
7. Morenci Mine
Located in Arizona, United States, the Morenci Mine is owned by Freeport-McMoRan. The surface mine produced an estimated 397.5 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine will operate until 2044.
8. Las Bambas Project
The Las Bambas Project is a surface mine located in Apurimac, Peru. Owned by China Minmetals, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 383.6 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine will operate until 2038.
9. Chuquicamata Mine
Owned by Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile, the Chuquicamata Mine is an underground mine situated in Antofagasta, Chile. The brownfield mine produced an estimated 351 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The expected mine closure date is 2057.
10. Los Bronces Mine
The Los Bronces Mine is a surface mine situated in Santiago, Chile. Owned by Anglo American Plc, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 327.7 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The mine is expected to operate until 2057.
Methodology:
This information is drawn from GlobalData’s mines and projects database, which tracks all operating and developing mines and projects globally. Verdict’s parent company GlobalData provides business information to 4,000 of the world’s largest companies.