Best Copper Stocks To Buy – December 2025

TLDR

• Five copper stocks positioned for growth as demand expected to rise 70% by 2050 due to electric vehicles and renewable energy
• Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) leads with 1.2 million metric tons sold in 2024 and innovative leaching technologies planned for 2030
• BHP Group operates the world’s largest copper mine Escondida and plans $10-14 billion in expansion projects
• Southern Copper maintains lowest production costs in industry with 51% margins and expansions adding 500,000+ tons by 2032
• Rio Tinto and Teck Resources offer lower P/E ratios at 12.05 and 24.26 respectively while expanding copper operations

Copper demand is set to increase 70% by 2050. This growth stems from electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and AI data centers. Supply constraints have pushed prices near record highs as of December 15, 2025.

Five mining companies stand out for their reserves, production capacity, and expansion plans. These firms offer investors exposure to the copper market through established operations and growth projects.

The companies range from pure-play copper miners to diversified operations. Each brings different advantages in production costs, reserve life, and dividend yields.

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan operates as one of the largest pure-play copper producers globally. The company’s main assets include the Grasberg mine in Indonesia and multiple operations across the Americas.

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., FCX

In 2024, Freeport sold approximately 1.2 million metric tons of copper. The company also produces gold and silver as by-products, which boost profit margins.

Freeport holds about 25 years of copper reserves as of year-end 2024. The company is developing innovative leaching technologies that could add hundreds of millions of pounds of annual production by 2030.

The stock carries a market cap of $68.03 billion. Freeport offers a forward dividend yield of 1.27% with annual payments of $0.60 per share. The company posted trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $1.43 and trades at a P/E ratio of 33.13.

BHP Group Ltd. (BHP)

BHP operates the world’s largest copper mine at Escondida in Chile. The diversified mining giant expanded output in 2024 and plans further capacity increases.

BHP Group Limited, BHP

The company produced around 1.5 million metric tons of copper in 2024. BHP has allocated $10-14 billion for expansion projects that could add 540,000 tons of annual production.

The Resolution Copper project in the United States will strengthen BHP’s North American presence. This diversification helps reduce risks from regional political changes.

BHP has a market cap of $153.21 billion. The stock provides a forward dividend yield of 3.69% at $2.20 per share. BHP reported TTM earnings of $3.55 per share and trades at a P/E ratio of 16.80.

Southern Copper Corp. (SCCO)

Southern Copper maintains the lowest production costs in the copper mining industry. The company operates primarily in Peru and Mexico with profit margins around 51%.

Southern Copper Corporation, SCCO

Production volumes remained strong in 2024. Approved expansion projects will add 156,000 tons by 2027 and over 500,000 tons by 2032.

The company’s cost advantage allows it to stay profitable during price downturns. This efficiency supports consistent dividend payments to shareholders.

Southern Copper has a market cap of $116.65 billion. The forward dividend yield stands at 2.53% with annual payments of $3.60 per share. The company earned $4.63 per share over the trailing twelve months and trades at a P/E ratio of 30.75.

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO)

Rio Tinto is increasing its copper focus with major projects in development. The Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia is expected to become one of the world’s top copper producers by 2030.

In 2024, Rio Tinto maintained solid copper production from the Kennecott mine in Utah and other operations. New projects like Winu in Australia will add future capacity.

The company returns 40-60% of earnings to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. This policy balances growth investments with shareholder returns.

Rio Tinto’s market cap reaches $123.59 billion. The stock offers a forward dividend yield of 4.93% at $3.73 per share. Rio Tinto posted TTM earnings of $6.28 per share and trades at a P/E ratio of 12.05.

Teck Resources Ltd. (TECK)

Teck Resources became a pure-play copper company after selling its coal business. The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project is ramping up to 316,000 tons annually with plans to reach 800,000 tons by decade’s end.

Projects like the Highland Valley extension focus on North and South American operations. This geographic concentration aligns with Western supply chain priorities.

The company’s transformation into a copper specialist positions it for the energy transition. Production growth will accelerate as new projects reach full capacity.

Teck has a market cap of $21.14 billion. The forward dividend yield is 0.82% at $0.36 per share. Teck earned $1.78 per share over the trailing twelve months and trades at a P/E ratio of 24.26.

Summary

These five stocks—FCX, BHP, SCCO, RIO, and TECK—provide exposure to copper’s bright future through quality assets and solid fundamentals. While markets fluctuate, their long-term potential in a supply-constrained world is compelling. Always conduct due diligence; this isn’t personalized advice.

The post Best Copper Stocks To Buy – December 2025 appeared first on CoinCentral.