Visualizing Copper Production by Country in 2023
May 15, 2024

By  Graphics/Design: Sam Parker

Visualizing Copper Production by Country in 2023


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Copper is considered an essential metal for the clean energy transition because it is a great conductor of electricity.


As a result, governments around the world have been encouraging the construction of new mines, and mining companies have been seeking new projects and acquiring existing mines to meet the growing demand.


In this graphic, we illustrate global copper production in 2023, based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, as of January 2024.


Most Copper Comes from South America


Chile and Peru account for one-third of the world’s copper output.

Country Region 2023E Production (Million Tonnes)
🇦🇺 Australia Oceania 0.8
🇨🇦 Canada North America 0.5
🇨🇩 Congo (Kinshasa) Africa 2.5
🇨🇱 Chile South America 5.0
🇨🇳 China Asia 1.7
🇮🇩 Indonesia Asia 0.8
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan Asia 0.6
🇲🇽 Mexico North America 0.7
🇵🇪 Peru South America 2.6
🇵🇱 Poland Europe 0.4
🇷🇺 Russia Europe/Asia 0.9
🇺🇸 United States North America 1.1
🇿🇲 Zambia Africa 0.8
🌍 Rest of World -- 3.1
World total (rounded) -- 21.5

Chile is also home to the two largest mines in the world, Escondida and Collahuasi.


Meanwhile, African countries have rapidly increased their production. The Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, transitioned from being a secondary copper producer in the late 1990s to becoming the third-largest producer by 2023.


Part of the growth in copper mining in Africa is attributed to high investment from China. Chinese mining companies represent 8% of Africa’s total output in the mining sector.


Within its territory, China has also seen a 277% growth in copper production over the last three decades.


In the U.S., Arizona is the leading copper-producing state, accounting for approximately 70% of domestic output. Copper is also mined in Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.


Copyright © 2024 Visual Capitalist

Insider Loan to Corporation

September 15, 2025
TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2025 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources, (“VVC”), (TSX-V:VVC and OTCQC:VVCVF) announces the following events. Loan from Chairman VVC’s Chairman of the Board, Terrence Martell Ph.D. (the “Lender”), has provided a US$700,000 loan (the "Loan") to VVC’s subsidiary, Plateau Helium Corp., for use in operating and developing its Helium/PNG assets in Kansas, USA. The Loan, secured by a Promissory Note, is payable on demand and bears no interest. The Loan contains a conversion option whereby, at the sole option and discretion of the Lender, all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount can be settled with up to 230,000 shares of Cyber App Solutions (CRYB) at a price of US$3.09 per share. Director Resignation Mr. Steven Looper has resigned as a director of the Company for personal reasons and his resignation was accepted by the Board with regret. VVC would like to thank Mr. Looper, who served the Company as director since September 2023. Jim Cuver, VVC CEO commented, that « VVC regrets Steve’s decision to leave the Board of Directors, but we understand the pressure for him to do so as he drives Proton Green to become a major player in both the helium and beverage CO2 production. Steve, we wish you all the best and stand ready to help you in any way we can. » No replacement director has yet been appointed. The vacancy will most likely be filled in the months to come or at the next shareholders’ meeting before the end of the year. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Copper & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com . Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

VVC Appoints New President & Grants Options

March 18, 2025
TORONTO, March 18, 2025 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources, (“VVC”), (TSX-V:VVC and OTCQC:VVCVF) announces the following: Appointment of Officers The Directors appointed Mr. Bill Kerrigan as President and Chief Operating Officer of VVC. Mr. Kerrigan will continue to be President of Plateau Helium Corporation. Mr. James A. Culver will remain as CEO of VVC. VVC Chairman, Terrence Martell, commented, "As a representative of Management and the Board, I extend heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Culver for his years of service as President. I also welcome Mr. Kerrigan to his new role as President and I am confident that he will provide positive momentum for VVC." Option Grant The Directors also granted incentive stock options under its stock option plan, to officers, directors and consultants of the Company, to purchase up to an aggregate of 15,700,000 common shares, representing 2.74% of the outstanding shares of the Company. The stock options are exercisable at a price of CA$0.05 per share expiring March 17, 2035. 25% of the options granted will vest immediately with the remaining vesting at 25% every six months. The exercise price was fixed at the minimum allowable price by the TSX Venture Exchange policies. The options, granted in accordance with the provisions of the Company's stock option plan, are subject to the TSX Venture Exchange policies and the applicable securities laws. Of the Options granted, 41.1% were to Directors, 30.3% to Officers and 28.7% to Employees/Consultants of the Company. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Copper & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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