The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed in their Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 report that DRC Congo has once again surpassed Peru to maintain its position as the world’s second-largest copper producer.
In 2024, Congo produced 700,000 more metric tons of copper than Peru, pushing Peru to third place. The USGS report, released on January 31, provides official figures and projections for global mining production.
It states that in 2023, Peru produced 2.76 million metric tons of copper, while Congo outdid it with 3.3 million metric tons, an increase of 19.5% or 540,000 metric tons over Peru.
Over a year ago, Congo’s Central Bank reported the African nation had overtaken Peru, but Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) claimed Peru held the second spot.
However, for 2024, the USGS projects Peru’s production at 2.6 million metric tons, a 5.79% decrease from 2023’s output. From January to November 2024, Peru’s copper production was 2.47 million metric tons, down by 1.1% from the previous year.
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In contrast, Congo ended 2024 with 3.3 million metric tons, 27% more than Peru’s total for the year. Peru’s reserves still outstrip Congo’s, with 100 million metric tons compared to Congo’s 80 million.
Chile leads with 190 million metric tons and remains the top global producer. Marcial García, a tax services partner at EY Peru, notes the USGS revised figures that previously placed Peru second, now ranking Peru third.
He points out that Congo’s higher copper grades make it tough for Peru to catch up. Even with projects like Tía María and Zafranal, Peru would only add an estimated 250,000 metric tons, falling short of Congo’s lead by 450,000 metric tons.
Both Minem and Chile’s Cochilco predict that Peru might reach 2.7 million metric tons in 2025. However, they agree that Congo will likely produce around 3.2 million metric tons, maintaining its second-place rank.
