Copper facts

Copper is a soft, malleable metal valued for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, durability, and resistance to corrosion. It is widely used in wiring, plumbing, construction, industrial machinery, and clean technologies such as electric vehicles and solar power. Copper is also a key ingredient in alloys such as brass and bronze and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, making it vital for a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Learn more about copper

Uses

Copper plays a crucial role across various industries, including energy, manufacturing, construction, and transportation. The green energy transition is anticipated to significantly increase copper demand because of its critical applications in expanding electricity networks and clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles. As an essential trace mineral, copper is also vital for all living organisms, with the adult human containing between 1.4 and 2.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

Production

Copper can be mined as a primary product or extracted as a by-product of other metals such as gold, molybdenum, zinc, nickel, and lead.

In 2024, Canadian mines produced 514,582 tonnes of copper in concentrate, marking an increase of 6.2% from the 484,552 tonnes produced in 2023. From 2015 to 2024, copper production in Canada declined 26.2%, falling from 697,322 tonnes to 514,582 tonnes.

Canada has one primary copper smelter and refinery in Quebec and two sites in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador that produce limited amounts of refined copper with the processing of other metals.

British Columbia led Canada’s copper production, accounting for about 48% of the nation’s total output. The province is home to Canada’s largest copper mine, Highland Valley, near Logan Lake.

Consult a map of producing Canadian mines and processing sites

Canadian mine production of copper, by province and territory, 2024 (p)

Ranking	Province	Thousand tonnes	Percentage
1	British Columbia	249	48.3
2	Quebec	23	4.5
3	Newfoundland and Labrador	13	2.5
–	Others	230	44.7
Total		515	100

International context

In 2024, Chile led global copper production with 5.3 million tonnes of copper, representing 23% of the world’s total mined output of about 23 million tonnes. Canada ranked 12th, contributing 2% of global mined copper.

Global refined copper production increased by 3.8% in 2024, reaching 27.5 million tonnes, up from 26.5 million tonnes in 2023. This total included 22.8 million tonnes from primary sources and 4.7 million tonnes from secondary sources, compared to 22 million tonnes and 4.5 million tonnes, respectively, the previous year.

World mine production of copper, by country, 2024 (p)

Ranking	Country	Thousand tonnes	Percentage
1	Chile	5,300	23
2	Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)	3,300	14
3	Peru	2,600	11
4	China	1,800	8
5	United States	1,100	5
6	Indonesia	1,100	5
7	Russia	930	4
8	Australia	800	3
9	Kazakhstan	740	3
10	Mexico	700	3
–	Other countries	4,270	19
Total (rounded)		23,000	100

World reserves

In 2024, Chile held the largest share of global copper reserves, totaling 190 million tonnes or 19% of the total reserves. With worldwide reserves estimated at 1 billion tonnes, Canada holds about 8.3 million tonnes, making up about 1% of the global total.

Trade

In 2024, Canada's total trade (exports and imports) in copper and copper-based products was valued at $17.3 billion.

Exports

In 2024, Canada's domestic exports of copper and copper-based products were valued at $10.7 billion, a 15% increase from the previous year. The United States was the main destination, accounting for 56% of the total export value, followed by China (19%), Japan (9%), and South Korea (7%).

Canada exported 348,211 tonnes of copper ores and concentrates in 2024, a 4% increase from 2023. These exports were valued at $4.0 billion, up 17% from the previous year. China and Japan were the primary destinations of Canadian copper concentrate.

Refined copper exports totaled 140,639 tonnes in 2024, up 6% from 2023. These exports were valued at $1.8 billion, up 17% from the previous year. The United States was the primary destination, accounting for over 99% of Canada’s refined copper exports.

Imports

Canada’s imports of copper and copper-based products amounted to $6.5 billion in 2024, up 12% from 2023. Primary copper products, including ores, concentrates, waste, and scrap made up 24% of these imports. Copper alloys, mattes, powders, flakes, refined copper, and unrefined copper (copper anodes for electrolytic refining) made up 36%. The remaining 40% of imports were comprised of semi-fabricated and fabricated copper products.

The United States was the main source, accounting for 56% of the total. Other significant sources included Chile (15%) and Sweden (7%).

Prices

The price of copper is generally considered to be a barometer of global economic conditions because the metal’s key uses are in construction, manufacturing and clean technologies. Consequently, demand for copper tends to rise during periods of growth and decline during slowdowns.

Copper prices have fluctuated significantly over the past decade. In 2015, the average monthly price per tonne was US$5,511, then declined in 2016 to a decade low of US$4,472, and peaked at US$10,231 in March 2022.

Prices dipped in early 2020 because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but quickly rebounded later that year, reaching US$10,162 by May 2021. In 2024, the average price remained relatively high at US$9,142, with minimal fluctuations. The monthly price in January was US$8,339, rising to US$10,139 in May and dipping slightly to US$8,916 by December.

Recycling

Copper is one of the few materials that retains its chemical and physical properties through repeated recycling, making it an ideal candidate for resource conservation and waste reduction.

According to the International Copper Study Group, 32% of global copper consumption in 2023 came from recycled sources.

Canada plays a key role in copper recycling, with significant quantities of the metal recovered through its well established industry. A substantial portion of this recycling occurs at smelting and refining facilities in Rouyn-Noranda and Montréal, Quebec.