Nations of metal: who tops the charts in raw steel and copper production?

After the summer break, we’re excited to resume our editorial activity at Expometals.net by reestablishing the pillars of our industry coverage. We begin with two striking infographics that offer a quick look at which nations lead the world in steel and copper production.

Raw steel production in 2023

In 2023, China remains the undisputed leader in raw steel production, accounting for more than half of the global output with a staggering 1,000 million tonnes. This dominance comes with challenges, particularly overcapacity, which has put pressure on profit margins in the global market. India follows as the second-largest producer at 140 million tonnes, with Japan in third at 87 million tonnes. The United States and Russia complete the top five, contributing 80 and 75 million tonnes, respectively.

For more insights on steel production and the top-producing countries, you can explore our detailed article here. If you’re interested in the leading steel-producing companies, check out our dedicated news story here.

Copper production by country in 2023

The copper landscape in 2023 was dominated by South American nations, with Chile and Peru producing a combined 7.6 million tonnes, accounting for nearly a third of the world’s total output. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a rising star, now the third-largest producer with 2.5 million tonnes, driven by significant Chinese investment.

Copper is crucial for the clean energy transition due to its excellent electrical conductivity. This has driven global efforts to boost production, particularly in regions like South America and Africa, which are rich in copper reserves.

The United States, while not a top global leader, still plays a significant role with 1.1 million tonnes, primarily sourced from Arizona. China’s domestic production, while not as dominant as its steel output, has seen substantial growth over the last 30 years.

These insights provide a clear picture of the global distribution of these raw materials, underscoring the strategic importance of these nations in the global economy.

The infographics are hosted here on Visual Capitalist:
Visualizing raw steel production in 2023
Visualizing copper production by country in 2023

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