Global Pathways
A Global View of Production and Trade
Copper is 100 Percent Recyclable
Unlike most other materials, it can be perpetually recycled without loss of performance or qualities. Recycled copper is identical to mined copper.
Mining & Recycling
Nearly 28 million tonnes of copper are used annually. Copper production begins with the extraction of copper-bearing ores in mining or recycling of scrap metal. The ores are processed into copper concentrate, which can be further treated onsite or sold to a smelter.
The figures below represent global production and trade of copper contained within ores and concentrates (ICSG, 2015). The operation locations refer only to ICA member companies.
Smelting & Refining
The smelting process involves heating and melting ore to extract metal. Refining refers to any process increasing the grade or purity of the metal. The result of the refining process for copper production is copper cathode, which is generally 99.9 percent pure.
The figures below represent global production and trade of refined copper (ICSG, 2015). The operation locations refer only to ICA member companies.
Finished Products
Copper cathode is transformed into copper rod, tubes, sheet and strips, which can then be fabricated into finished products used directly by consumers and businesses. The majority of copper produced worldwide (70 percent) is used for conductivity applications.
The figures below represent global copper demand (ICSG, 2015). The operation locations refer only to ICA member companies.
North America
1,893 kt Cu
EU-28
957 kt Cu
Europe Others
839 kt Cu
China
1,706 kt Cu
Africa
1,962 kt Cu
Latin America
9,136 kt Cu
Oceania
983 kt Cu
Rest of Asia
2,540 kt Cu
North America
to South America
40 kt Cu
North America
to EU-28
80 kt Cu
North America
to Japan
100 kt Cu
EU-28
to China
120 kt Cu
North America
to China
200 kt Cu
South America
to EU-28
670 kt Cu
South America
to Japan
690 kt Cu
South America
to China
1440 kt Cu
China
Recycling Input Rate - 40%
End-of-Life Recycling Rate - 53%
EU-28
Recycling Input Rate - 49%
End-of-Life Recycling Rate - 65%
Japan
Recycling Input Rate - 35%
End-of-Life Recycling Rate - 49%
Latin America
Recycling Input Rate - 7%
End-of-Life Recycling Rate - 25%
North America
Recycling Input Rate - 31%
End-of-Life Recycling Rate - 30%
North America
1,401 kt Cu
EU-28
2,729 kt Cu
Europe Others
1,163 kt Cu
China
8,889 kt Cu
Africa
1,278 kt Cu
Latin America
3,383 kt Cu
Oceania
386
kt Cu
Rest of Asia
4,275 kt Cu
South America
to Japan
30 kt Cu
North America
to China
70 kt Cu
Japan
to China
230 kt Cu
EU-28
to China
320 kt Cu
South America
to North America
430 kt Cu
South America
to EU-28
540 kt Cu
South America
to China
1910 kt Cu
North America
2,766 kt Cu
EU-28
4,506 kt Cu
Europe Others
1,365 kt Cu
China
12,586 kt Cu
Africa
262 kt Cu
Latin America
1,239 kt Cu
Oceania
10 kt Cu
Rest of Asia
6,383 kt Cu
China to
Japan
110 kt Cu
South America
to North America
250 kt Cu
China to
South America
320 kt Cu
China to
EU-28
530 kt Cu
China to
North America
620 kt Cu
EU-28 to
North America
30 kt Cu
EU-28 to
South America
40 kt Cu
China to
South America
90 kt Cu
North America to
South America
100 kt Cu
China to
EU-28
530 kt Cu
China to
North America
530 kt Cu
EU-28 to
North America
10 kt Cu
China to
South America
30 kt Cu
China to
Japan
30 kt Cu
China to
EU-28
210 kt Cu
China to
North America
230 kt Cu
Japan to
North America
10 kt Cu
EU-28 to
South America
10 kt Cu
EU-28 to
North America
20 kt Cu
China to
North America
20 kt Cu
China to
EU-28
30 kt Cu
China to
South America
30 kt Cu
China to
North America
10 kt Cu
China to
North America
10 kt Cu
EU-28 to
South America
10 kt Cu
China to
South America
10k t Cu
EU-28 to
China
20 kt Cu
China to
Japan
20 kt Cu
EU-28 to
North America
30 kt Cu
Japan to
North America
40 kt Cu
South America to
North America
310 kt Cu
All data provided by ICSG and IWCC is essential to run the stock flow model developed and created by Fraunhofer ISL for use by ICA and the Copper Alliance®.