Copper
We are a significant copper producer in the Americas, with four operating copper mines and a strong pipeline of development projects in North and South America.
What We Make
Teck operates the Highland Valley Copper mine in British Columbia, Canada, the Quebrada Blanca copper mine in northern Chile and the Carmen de Andacollo copper mine in central Chile. We also have an interest in the Antamina copper/zinc mine in Peru, one of the world's largest base metal mines. In addition, Teck has a pipeline of copper projects in various stages of development.
Our customers can be confident in our ability to ensure a long-term, reliable supply of quality copper and molybdenum concentrates. Concentrate production is a process where the main metallic compounds of the mine’s ore are separated and 'concentrated'. This concentrated material is then sold to smelters for further refining. The marketing of base metal concentrates is a key element of Teck's business. Our concentrate sales span the globe.
We produce copper cathode at our Carmen de Andacollo and Quebrada Blanca Operations in Chile. Both mines are open pit operations where ore is leached to produce copper cathodes via processing in SX-EW plants. Copper cathode production is trucked from the operations for shipment to purchasers.
Teck's Copper Facts
20
percent
of our gross profit in 2022 that was from copper
33.0
million tonnes
of contained copper in proven & probable reserves and measured & indicated resources
4
The number
of operating copper mines in Canada and South America which we operate or have an interest in
270K
The amount
of copper in tonnes that we produced at our copper mines in 2022
Copper’s Role in a Low-Carbon Economy
Climate change is top of mind for much of the world’s population. The transition to renewable energy and electrification will require commodities like copper. Learn more about how the copper we produce is helping to build the low-carbon future.
Teck’s QB2 Site Visit
Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 is a low-cost, long-life copper project being built by Teck and the project partners in northern Chile. Join us for a virtual tour of our construction progress.
Where We Make It
Antamina
The Antamina mine is a large copper and zinc mine, located in the Andes mountain range of Peru.
Quebrada Blanca
Quebrada Blanca Operations is a copper mine located in northern Chile.
Carmen de Andacollo
Carmen de Andacollo is a copper and gold mine located in central Chile.
Highland Valley Copper
Highland Valley Copper Operations is a copper and molybdenum operation located in south-central British Columbia.
Copper is...
an essential part of people’s lives. Today, copper is the material of choice for powering our modern world as a vital component in everything from power generation to hybrid vehicles to computers and smartphones.
Industry Memberships
Did you know?
Continual improvements in the technology of data transmission over copper wire virtually guarantees that copper will remain the preferred medium for office networks in the foreseeable future. High data-transmission capability, convenience and security are just a few of copper’s benefits. Read more about copper through the Copper Alliance.
Our Stories
Water
Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology
Did You Know?
Copper is a powerful antimicrobial agent and an innovative solution to reducing the spread of infection in healthcare facilities. Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are the fourth leading cause of death in Canada and cost the Canadian healthcare system more than $1 billion annually.
