Leading Copper-Producing Mines In The United States In 2021, In Order Of Publicly Available Output

This table presents a ranked list of the leading copper-producing mines in the United States for the year 2021, based on publicly available output data. It details each mine’s location, operator, source of copper, and production capacity measured in thousand metric tons. This information is critical for understanding the domestic copper supply chain, which supports a wide range of industries including electrical wiring, construction, and electronics manufacturing. Tracking production capacity and output helps policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders assess the health and trends of the U.S. copper mining sector, which is a vital component of the national economy and strategic resource planning.

Analysis of the data reveals that Arizona dominates U.S. copper production, hosting the majority of the top mines such as Morenci, Safford, Sierrita, Bagdad, and Ray. Morenci mine, operated by Freeport-McMoRan Inc., leads by a significant margin with a capacity of 590 thousand metric tons, more than double that of the second-ranked Bingham Canyon mine in Utah, which has a capacity of 230 thousand metric tons. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is the largest operator, managing six of the top 16 mines, underscoring its dominant position in the industry. Notably, the mines utilize a variety of copper sources, including copper-molybdenum ores and leached copper ores, reflecting diverse extraction and processing techniques. The table also indicates that these mines collectively accounted for over 99% of U.S. copper mine production in 2021, highlighting the concentration of output among a relatively small number of large operations.