Here are the ten largest copper mines by production across the world in 2020, 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 1,126 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The mine will operate until 2078.
2. Dolinny Mine
Located in East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, the Dolinny Mine is owned by Glencore Plc. The underground mine produced an estimated 630.009 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The mine will operate until 2030.
3. Collahuasi Mine
The Collahuasi Mine is a surface mine located in Tarapaca, Chile. Owned by Anglo American Plc, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 629.1 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The mine will operate until 2088.
4. Grasberg Block Cave Mine
Owned by Inalum, the Grasberg Block Cave Mine is an underground mine situated in Papua, Indonesia. The brownfield mine produced an estimated 618.297 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The expected mine closure date is 2041.
5. Deep Mill Level Zone Mine
The Deep Mill Level Zone Mine is an underground mine situated in Papua, Indonesia. Owned by Inalum, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 527.875 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The mine is expected to operate until 2041.
6. Morenci Mine
The Morenci Mine is a surface mine situated in Arizona, United States. Owned by Freeport-McMoRan, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 445.4 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The mine will operate until 2044.
7. El Teniente Mine
Located in Cachapoal, Chile, the El Teniente Mine is owned by Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile. The underground mine produced an estimated 443.22 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020.
8. Buenavista del Cobre Mine
The Buenavista del Cobre Mine is a surface mine located in Sonora, Mexico. Owned by Grupo Mexico, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 438.36 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020.
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 400.72 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The expected mine closure date is 2058.
10. 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 371.94 thousand tonnes of copper in 2020. The mine is expected to operate until 2051.
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.
