Chile has dominated global copper production since 2000, initially producing 4.5 million tons annually. The United States followed in second place, producing 1.5 million tons, while Russia ranked seventh with 520 thousand tons.

Currently, Chile's annual production has increased to 5.3 million tons, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) rising to second place at 3.3 million tons per year. Notably, 70% of DRC's mines are Chinese-owned, potentially elevating China to the second spot globally when combined with its own production of 1.8 million tons annually. Meanwhile, in the early 21st century, Russia nearly doubled its copper production to 930 thousand tons per year, maintaining its seventh position in global rankings.