Global copper mine production dipped 0.3% in 2019

SHANGHAI, Apr 17 (SMM) – Global copper production dipped 0.3% to 20.37 million mt in 2019 from the year before, according to SMM calculations based on various data.

Chile remained the world’s top copper producer, with output of 5.6 million mt.

Following the commissioning of several large mines, China’s copper output expanded to 1.6 million mt, and ranked the third biggest copper mine producer in the world. China, however, remained heavily reliant on imported copper concentrate, as its smelting capacity also spiked.

In terms of output in 2019, the top 10 copper mines produced 4.5 million mt of copper last year, accounting for 22% of the total. Eight of the 10 mines are located in Chile and Peru.

As the pandemic worsens globally, miners across the world have implemented production reduction or temporarily suspended their operations. Please find below an update on the production status of the top 10 copper mines.