Back to Metals & Minerals
METALS & MINERALS

Copper

Glencore is one of the world’s leading producers and marketers of copper.

We extract and process copper ore in South America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Australia. In North America, we recycle copper scrap. In addition, we smelt and refine copper. We supply a wide range of customers from the automotive, electronics and construction sectors.

Copper was the first metal ever used by humankind and today, it finds various applications in everyday life and in industry.

As a major by-product of copper production, we are one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt , primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Copper - metal of the future

  • 2023-02 Copper the metal of the future

    Watch the film to learn more about copper - a versatile metal and important component for a low-carbon future

    Watch Film

Watch the film to learn more about copper - a versatile metal and important component for a low-carbon future

Copper in figures - 2023

  • 3.3 mt

    of copper metal and concentrates sold via our marketing business

  • 1,010 kt

    of copper produced at our assets

Uses of copper

Due to its outstanding conductivity, copper is suitable for use in electronic products such as wiring and connectors, as well as renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles.

As an alloy, copper is hard and resists both heat and corrosion. That’s why it is perfectly suited for fresh water supply lines and plumbing fittings as well as cookware. 

Copper’s antimicrobial properties can support infection control in hospitals and care environments.

As a versatile and recyclable material, it makes an essential contribution to a low carbon future.

Copper assets

Our copper assets range from mines to smelters, refineries and recycling plants.

  • Kamoto Copper Company

    DRC

    Katanga is a large-scale copper-cobalt operation in the country’s Katanga province, producing copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide.
    View more

  • Mutanda Mining

    DRC

    Mutanda is a large-scale copper and cobalt producer, also in Katanga province, producing copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide.
    View more

  • KCC 360° tour

    View more

  • PASAR

    Philippines

    Pasar (78.2%) smelts and refines copper concentrates and anodes, sourced from our own operations and third parties, into copper cathodes.
    View more

Mines

  • Mount Isa Mines

    Mount Isa Mines is one of the world’s largest underground mining and processing operations, producing copper anodes, silver/lead bullion and zinc concentrates.
    View more

Smelters and refineries

  • Copper Refineries Ltd

    Copper Refineries Ltd is better known as Townsville. This is where anodes from the Mount Isa smelter are refined into copper cathode
    View more

  • Mount Isa

    This is where concentrates from third parties and our Ernest Henry and Mount Isa mines are smelted into copper anodes.
    View more

  • Glencore Port Operations

    Our Port Operations business is an export gateway for the mineral resources of north-west Queensland.
    View more

See also Glencore in Australia

Smelters and refineries

  • Canadian Copper Refinery

    Canada

    in Quebec, which refines copper anodes – sourced from our smelters and those of third parties – into cathodes. The refinery also produces gold and silver , as well as specialty metals and chemicals such as selenium, tellurium and copper and nickel sulphate

    View more

  • Horne Smelter

    Canada

    one of the world’s largest processors of used electronics, smelt ing copper concentrates and electronic scrap to produce copper anodes

    View more

  • Glencore Recycling

    We are a world leader in the recycling of complex copper and precious metal materials. We are continuously sourcing new streams of recyclable materials from new and existing customers and industries. Our state-of-the-art technology and expertise in the recycling business ensure that you get fair and accurate value for your recyclable materials.

See also Glencore in Canada

Mines

  • Collahuasi

    Chile

    Collahuasi (44%) is a large-scale copper mine in northern Chile, producing copper concentrates.
    View more

  • Antamina

    Peru

    Antamina (33.75%) is a large-scale open-pit copper/zinc mine, producing copper and zinc concentrates.
    View more

  • Antapaccay

    Peru

    Antapaccay is a mining and processing operation producing copper concentrates.
    View more

  • Lomas Bayas

    Chile

    Our Lomas Bayas open-pit copper mine is located in northern Chile. The operation produces copper cathode on site
    View more

Smelters and refineries

  • Altonorte

    Chile

    Altonorte takes copper concentrates from our South American assets. Third party products are also smelted into copper anodes.
    View more

Copper vacancies*

* for the full list of vacancies please see our careers section

You may also be interested in

  • Latest reports and results

    Explore the latest reports and results, including financial results, production reports and our annual report.
    Explore

  • Global presence

    Explore

Leadership

  • Marketing lead

    Jyothish George

  • Industrial lead
    Mike Westerman

Related links