Global Leaders In The Copper Market

Copper Market Overview and Key Players

In this blog, the top copper industry giants and their functions have been mentioned in detail, giving our readers an extensive overview of the industry. Copper is a crucial commodity which has a broad range of uses across many industries. The red metal has extensive usage in the construction industry and has recently emerged as a key product for the electric vehicles (EVs) industry due to its use in EV charging infrastructure and energy storage applications.

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Top 10 Copper Companies in the World

Considering the global need for copper and the increasing shift towards a green economy which will give rise to the metal demand, it is crucial for market players and investors to have insight into the market's largest players. Hence, here is a list of the top 10 market players in the copper market:

1) Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX)- Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a global leader in mining. The company has huge operations in geographically diverse assets that hold copper, gold, and molybdenum reserves. They are a founding International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) member.

2) Codelco- Codelco, or Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (National Copper Corporation of Chile), located in Santiago, is a Chilean mining company which is among the largest state-owned producers of copper worldwide. The company has core business in exploring, developing and mining copper mineral resources, processing and refining. They operate via their four divisions, including Codelco Norte, Andina, El Teniente, and El Salvador.

3) BHP (ASX: BHP, NYSE: BHP, LSE: BHP)- Australia's BHP Group Limited is a global producer of commodities like copper, iron ore, nickel, potash and metallurgical (steelmaking) coal. They specialise in providing a series of resources like copper for renewable energy; potash for sustainable farming; nickel for electric vehicles; and iron ore and metallurgical coal used in steelmaking for supporting the global infrastructure and the energy transition. Their copper segment is focused on mining copper, zinc, silver, molybdenum, uranium, and gold.

4) Grupo Mexico (BMV: GMEXICOB)- Grupo México is Mexico's fourth largest company accounting for a market cap of USD 27.31 billion, focusing on four main divisions, including Mining, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Foundation. The company fulfils the market needs using its cutting-edge technology and participating in large-scale and long-term projects.

5) Glencore (LSE: GLEN, OTC Pink: GLCNF)- Glencore plc is engaged in producing, refining, processing, storing and supplying minerals and metals along with energy products to the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. The company is a producer and marketer of nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, chrome ore, vanadium, ferrochrome, aluminium, alumina, and iron ore; and crude oil, coal, natural gas, refined products, and exploration/production and refining/distribution of oil.

6) Zijin Mining Group (SHA:601899)- Zijin Mining is an international mining giant that operates in the exploration and development of copper, zinc, gold, and lithium, along with engineering and technological research. They are a key player in the global mining sector and aim to evolve into a green, high-tech leader in the mining industry. They contribute to global financial growth and sustainable development by making and transporting high-quality minerals.

7) First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM)- First Quantum Minerals Ltd., based in Vancouver, Canada, paired with its subsidiaries, participates in the exploration, development and manufacturing of minerals. It mainly investigates nickel, silver, pyrite, copper, gold, and zinc ores, along with acid production. The company operates its mines in regions like Panama, Spain, Finland, Zambia, Turkey, Australia, and Mauritania, along with development projects in Zambia.

8) KGHM Polska Miedz (FWB: KGHA.F)- KGHM Polska Miedz SA is committed to copper ore mining and its production mainly in South-Western Poland. The company is a producer of precious metals like silver which is mainly employed in jewellery making, coins, photography products and industrial applications. The group's bulk revenue is generated via copper sales, and the rest is in sales of silver, and a small portion is made through producing salt, gold, and the casting of light metals.

9) Anglo-American (LSE: AAL, OTCQX: AAUKF)- Anglo American PLC is a company with main operations in mining and processing undeveloped resources. The company's segments comprise De Beers, Platinum Group Metals, Copper, Iron Ore, Nickel, Steelmaking Coal, Manganese and Crop Nutrients.

10) Antofagasta (LSE: ANTO)- Antofagasta plc is a UK-based company that operates in copper mining. The company has functions in mining and exploration activities as well as transporting rail and road cargo. The firm's main segments are mining and transport.

In this blog, the copper industry is studied in detail, along with the key players operating in the market space. The write-up gives an in-depth analysis of the industry and provides an overview of key investors and market players.

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