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Factbox-The world's top 10 copper mines as Glencore confirms early takeover talks with Rio Tinto

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 8, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Factbox-The world's top 10 copper mines as Glencore confirms early takeover talks with Rio Tinto
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Jan 8 (Reuters) - Glencore said on Thursday it was in early talks to be acquired by Rio Tinto,, a combination that would create the world’s largest mining company and have major implications for the

Glencore and Rio Tinto Engage in Early Talks for Potential Merger

Overview of the Top Copper Mines

Jan 8 (Reuters) - Glencore said on Thursday it was in early talks to be acquired by Rio Tinto,, a combination that would create the world’s largest mining company and have major implications for the global copper sector.

Glencore had approached Rio Tinto in 2024 about combining the two big copper producers but the discussions were short-lived.

Top 10 Copper Mines in the World

Here are the top 10 copper mines in the world:

Detailed Rankings and Ownership

Rank Mine Location 2024 Controlling Companies

Output

1 Escondida Chile 1,125,300 BHP Group, Rio Tinto,

tonnes Mitsubishi, JX Advanced

Metals

2 Grasberg Indonesia 816,466 PT Mineral Industri

tonnes Indonesia,

Freeport-McMoRan

3 Collahuasi Chile 466,400 Glencore , Anglo

tonnes American and Mitsui

4 Tenke Democrati 450,000 CMOC, Gecamines

Fungurume c tonnes

Republic

of the

Congo

5 Cerro Peru 447,000 Freeport-McMoRan,

Verde tonnes Buenaventura , Sumitomo

6 Kamoa-Kaku Democrati 437,061 Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin

la c tonnes Mining, Democratic

Republic Republic of the Congo,

of the Crystal River Global

Congo

7 Buenavista Mexico 432,993 Southern Copper

tonnes

8 Antamina Peru 426,900 Glencore, BHP Group ,

tonnes Teck Resources,

Mitsubishi

9 Morenci USA 362,000 Freeport-McMoRan,

tonnes Sumitomo

10 El Chile 356,400 Codelco

Teniente tonnes

Sources and Reporting

(SOURCES: COMPANY WEBSITES, FILINGS, ANNUAL REPORTS)

(Reporting by Anushree Mukherjee, Sumit Saha, Vallari Srivastava and Tanay Dhumal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Tasim Zahid)

Key Takeaways

  • Glencore and Rio Tinto are in early merger talks.
  • The merger could create the largest mining company.
  • Top 10 copper mines include Escondida and Grasberg.
  • The merger may impact the global copper sector.
  • Major copper mines are located in Chile, Indonesia, and the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a merger?
A merger is a business strategy where two companies combine to form a single entity, often to enhance competitiveness and efficiency.
What is copper mining?
Copper mining involves extracting copper ore from the earth, which is then processed to produce copper metal for various applications.
What is output in mining?
Output in mining refers to the total quantity of minerals or metals produced by a mining operation over a specific period.
What is a controlling company?
A controlling company is an entity that owns a majority stake in another company, allowing it to influence or control its operations.
What is the significance of copper in the economy?
Copper is a vital metal used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and various industrial applications, making it essential for economic development.

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