We are one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of copper. In 2017, we produced 1.3 million tonnes, and sold 4 million tonnes through our marketing business.
We mine and process copper ore in the key mining regions of Africa, Australia and South America. We source and recycle copper scrap in North America and Asia. And we smelt and refine copper at smelters and refineries around the world.
Our copper marketing business supplies a range of customers in the automotive, electronics and construction industries.
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 in figures
$4.4 bn
adjusted EBITDA from our copper assets in 2017
4 mt
of copper metal and concentrates sold via our marketing business in 2017
1,310 kt
of own-sourced copper produced in 2017
20 years
average reserve life for our copper assets
Uses of copper
Copper has a vast range of household and industrial uses.
Its superior electrical conductivity makes it ideal for electronics, such as wiring and computer connections; and its ability to heat up and cool down quickly makes it ideal for heat exchange applications such as air conditioners.
The metal is easily recycled, and also used in renewable energy technologies such as solar cells and electric vehicles – so it has a vital role to play in a sustainable future.
Copper’s antimicrobial properties also help infection control in hospitals and care environments.
Copper assets
Our copper assets range from mines to smelters, refineries and recycling plants.
Katanga Mining
DRC
Katanga (65%) is a large-scale copper-cobalt operation in the country’s Katanga province, producing copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide.
Mutanda Mining
DRC
Mutanda is a large-scale copper and cobalt producer, also in Katanga province, producing copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide.
Mopani
Zambia
Mopani (73.1%) is an integrated copper producer located in the Copperbelt of central Zambia, producing copper cathodes
PASAR
Philippines
Pasar (78.2%) smelts and refines copper concentrates and anodes, sourced from our own operations and third parties, into copper cathodes.
Ernest Henry Mining
Ernest Henry is a mining and processing operation in north Queensland producing copper concentrates.
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.
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
Mount Isa
This is where concentrates from third parties and our Ernest Henry and Mount Isa mines are smelted into copper anodes.
Glencore Port Operations
Our Port Operations business is an export gateway for the mineral resources of north-west Queensland.
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
Horne Smelter
Canada
one of the world’s largest processors of used electronics, smelt ing copper concentrates and electronic scrap to produce copper anodes
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.
Collahuasi
Chile
Collahuasi (44%) is a large-scale copper mine in northern Chile, producing copper concentrates.
Antamina
Peru
Antamina (33.75%) is a large-scale open-pit copper/zinc mine, producing copper and zinc concentrates.
Antapaccay
Peru
Antapaccay is a mining and processing operation producing copper concentrates.
Lomas Bayas
Chile
Our Lomas Bayas open-pit copper mine is located in northern Chile. The operation produces copper cathode on site
Altonorte
Chile
Altonorte takes copper concentrates from our South American assets. Third party products are also smelted into copper anodes.
Latest reports and results
Explore the latest reports and results, including financial results, production reports and our annual report.
Video highlights
Katanga Mine: an overview
Safety in Mopani, Zambia
Leadership
Marketing lead:
Nico Paraskevas
Industrial lead:
Mike Ciricillo