Copper is a metal with great versatility, since its application can be found in medicine, agriculture and materials science. Therefore, its demand is increasing and it is a very competitive field. In this area, a Latin American country stands out for its highest production worldwide.
Join us on this informative tour to discover who is leading the copper race, what position Peru occupies and which country is fighting to rise in the ranking, according to the business data platform Statista.
¿What is the country that produces the most copper?
In 2022, Chile emerges as a leader in this area; That is, the South American nation has consolidated its position as the main copper producer worldwide, above Peru, which has second place. This feat is not surprising considering Chile’s rich mining history.
The ranking of countries that produce copper
We detail the quantities produced, in millions of metric tons, by the main copper-producing nations:
- Chile: 5,200
- Peru: 2,200
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2,200
- China: 1,900
- United States: 1,300
- Russia: 1,000.
However, the surprise comes when discovering that another country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is on the rise. This African country has experienced sustained growth in copper production.
Democratic Republic of the Congo and its copper production
However, the outlook for copper aims to change by the end of 2023, as the Democratic Republic of Congo It would be emerging as the second largest copper producer internationally, moving Peru to third place.
Máximo Pacheco, president of the board of directors of Codelco, confirmed this thesis before the Chamber of Deputies of Chile. “The first is Chile; the second, Congo, which has already surpassed Peru. (…) There is greater production from mines coming from Africa,” Pacheco said in a report released by the Reuters agency this week.
Source: Larepublica

Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.