Copper

The earliest known copper deposits on the island of Cyprus have been a starting point for the practical use of copper metals called "Cuprum" in Latin. Copper items found in the Çatalhöyük excavations in our country date back to the known copper history. It takes up to 7000 years.

As of 2021, the total copper reserves on a global scale are predicted to be 880 million tons. Chile is the country with the largest share in the distribution of copper reserves with a share of 23%, followed by Australia and Peru with a 10% share. At the same time, Chile ranks first in world copper production with 5.6 million tons of metal copper, followed by Peru with 2.2 million tons and China with 1.8 million tons. After 2014, world copper production increased by 7% to around 20 million tons. 

As of 2020, 870 million tons of reserves have been distributed to various continents, especially 11 countries, and Chile has the highest share in the distribution of copper reserves with 23% share. Australia and Peru follow Chile with a share of 10%.

World copper production increased by 24% after 2012 to around 21.000.000 tons.

According to the data of 2021 in our country, the total production of copper ore was 5,5 million tons. 

The provinces where copper is produced according to the amount of production in 2021 are Kastamonu, Siirt, Adıyaman, Artvin, Giresun, Çanakkale, Rize, Elazığ, Malatya, Kütahya, Kırşehir, Bitlis, Ordu. On the other hand, blister and refined copper production is carried out in Samsun Smelting and Electrolysis Facility.

Copper production in our country by years:

Exports of copper ores and enriched copper ores in our country increased by 2% in 2021 compared to the previous year, reaching the highest levels of the last 6 years and reached 313,565 tons.

As of 2021, copper prices are on an upward trend. January-December 2020 average copper price was US$6,170/ton, while the 2021 price average was US$9,223/ton. 

Recycling

Worldwide, scrap converted into refined metals and alloys has recycled an estimated 150,000 tons of copper, equivalent to 9% of consumption. The estimated copper obtained in production processes from purchased scrap is 720,000 tons. Copper from scrap contributed approximately 38% of the US copper supply. In our country, around 40,000 tons/year is gained from copper scrap conversion.

Date of Update: 12 September 2022