Infographic: Copper spheres of control in processing

A new infographic from MINING.COM and The Northern Miner reveals a stark divide in global copper processing power, with China firmly in control of more than half of global capacity.

Nations within the Chinese sphere process 53.1% of the world’s copper, far surpassing the American-aligned bloc at 15.6% and the “Coalition of the Willing” at 19%.

Russia, grouped separately, accounts for 5.6% of global capacity, while 6.8% of copper processing remains in “Undrafted” countries not formally aligned with any major power bloc, such as Iran and India. Analysts warn that while access to raw materials is crucial, the ability to process them may ultimately determine strategic advantage in the race for technological and industrial dominance.