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 2023, the total copper reserves on a global scale are predicted to be 1 billion ton. Chile is the country with the largest share in the distribution of copper reserves with a share of 21%, followed by Peru with a %13. At the same time, Chile ranks first in world copper production with 5 million tons of metal copper, followed by Peru with 2.6 million tons and China with 1.7 million tons.

As of 2023, 1 billion ton of reserves have been distributed to various continents, especially 11 countries. World copper production increased by 29% after 2012, reaching around 22,000,000 tons.

According to the data of 2022 in our country, the total production of copper ore was 5,9 million tons.

Provinces where run-of-mine copper production is carried out according to production quantities in 2023: Kastamonu, Siirt, Erzurum, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Artvin, Bitlis, Rize, Trabzon, Malatya, Balıkesir, Giresun, Sivas, Çanakkale, Elazığ, Erzincan and Gümüşhane.

Our country's copper ore and enriched copper ore exports reached 390 thousand tons in 2023, reaching the highest level in 6 years.

Copper prices are on a downward trend as of 2021-2023. While the average copper price in January-December 2020 was 6,170 US$/ton, the average price in 2021 was 9,223 US$/ton, 8,996 US$/ton in 2022, and 8,300 US$/ton in 2023. In the first 9 months of 2024, it was traded at an average price of 8,983 US$/ton.

Recycling

An estimated 82,000 tons of copper were recovered from old (post-consumer) scrap converted into refined metal, alloys and other forms in the world in 2023. Approximately 30% of the world's copper demand is met by recycling. Approximately 85% of the total copper obtained from scrap is produced by brass and wire rod mills; 10% by smelters, refineries and ingot manufacturers; and 5% by chemical plants, foundries and various manufacturers. Copper obtained from scrap contributed to 33% of the US copper supply. In our country, approximately 70/50 thousand tons/year of copper is recovered from scrap recycling.

Date of Update: 26 December 2024