Updated March 2026
Top Copper Mining
Operations in Canada
Canada produced over 514,000 tonnes of copper in 2024. With billions in expansion projects underway, the nation's mines are positioning to meet surging global demand driven by electrification, EVs, and grid infrastructure.
Highland Valley Copper Mine
Location
Logan Lake, B.C.
Mine Type
Open pit
Owner
Teck Resources Ltd.
Mine Life
2046
Highland Valley Copper is the largest open-pit copper mine in Canada and one of the largest in the world. The operation uses autogenous and semi-autogenous grinding paired with flotation to process massive volumes of ore from the Valley and Lornex pits.
2025–2026 Update
In July 2025, Teck approved the $2.1–$2.4 billion Mine Life Extension (HVC MLE), extending operations from 2028 out to 2046. Fluor Corporation has been appointed as the engineering and construction management contractor. The extension follows a three-phase mining strategy and is expected to generate 2,900 additional jobs and $435 million in GDP during construction.
Copper Mountain Mine
Location
Princeton, B.C.
Mine Type
Open pit
Owner
Hudbay Minerals Inc.
Mine Life
2040–2043
Copper Mountain has undergone a major transformation in ownership and ambition. Hudbay Minerals acquired the original Copper Mountain Mining Corporation in 2023 and completed the buyout of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation's remaining 25% stake in April 2025, consolidating full ownership.
2025–2026 Update
In February 2026, Hudbay received amended permits for the New Ingerbelle expansion — a three-phase pushback that unlocks projected lifetime production of 750,000 tonnes of copper, 900,000 ounces of gold, and 5.5 million ounces of silver. Mill throughput is targeting 50,000 tonnes per day in 2026.
Red Chris Mine
Location
Dease Lake, B.C.
Mine Type
Open pit → Block cave
Owner
Newmont (70%) / Imperial Metals (30%)
Mine Life
~2040
Red Chris was originally developed by Imperial Metals and began production in 2015 following an Impact, Benefit and Co-Management Agreement with the Tahltan Nation. Newcrest Mining acquired a 70% stake, and was subsequently acquired by Newmont Corporation in late 2023.
2025–2026 Update
Newmont is advancing a C$2.6 billion underground block cave expansion that would increase ore processing to nearly 13 million tonnes per year and extend mine life by 12–15 years. Preparatory tunnelling is underway, with feasibility study approval expected in the second half of 2026.
Vale Sudbury Operations
Location
Greater Sudbury, Ont.
Mine Type
Underground & open pit
Owner
Vale Base Metals
Mine Life
2042+
The Sudbury Basin, formed by a meteorite impact nearly two billion years ago, hosts one of the world's most significant polymetallic mining complexes. Vale's operations encompass five underground mines, a mill, smelter, and refinery, with nearly 4,000 employees.
2025–2026 Update
In 2025, Vale Base Metals and Glencore Canada agreed to jointly evaluate a brownfield copper project in the basin, targeting 880,000 tonnes of copper over 21 years with capital costs of US$1.6–$2.0 billion. The Copper Cliff mine resumed open-pit operations in 2024, and dismantling of the iconic Superstack began in September 2025.
Gibraltar Mine
Location
Cariboo region, B.C.
Mine Type
Open pit
Owner
Taseko Mines Ltd.
Mine Life
2044
Gibraltar is the second-largest open-pit copper mine in Canada and the most prominent employer in the Cariboo region. Originally built in 1972, the mine was purchased by Taseko in 1999 and given a $700-million restart in 2004.
2025–2026 Update
In late 2024, Taseko completed the acquisition of the final 12.5% interest from Dowa Metals & Mining and Furukawa, bringing ownership to 100%. For 2026, Taseko expects production of 110–115 million pounds of copper with more consistent quarterly output from the Connector pit.
New Afton Mine
Location
Kamloops, B.C.
Mine Type
Underground (block cave)
Owner
New Gold Inc.
Mine Life
2031
The New Afton Mine sits at the site of the historic Afton Mine, once operated by Teck Resources. Today it is an underground block cave operation that has entered a productive new phase with the C-Zone block cave achieving commercial production in late 2024.
2025–2026 Update
C-Zone construction completed in early 2026, and the mine is now operating at 16,000 tonnes per day. The newly incorporated East Extension zone features copper and gold grades more than double those of C-Zone. Reserve mine life has been extended to 2031.
Kidd Mine
Location
Timmins, Ont.
Mine Type
Underground
Owner
Discovery Silver Corp.
Mine Life
End of 2026
The Kidd Mine holds the distinction of being the deepest base-metal mine in the world, reaching depths of more than three kilometres below surface. For nearly six decades, it has been a cornerstone of Timmins's mining economy.
2025–2026 Update
An $80-million feasibility study concluded that further deep expansion would be unviable. Mining will cease at the end of December 2026, with reclamation beginning in early 2027. Discovery Silver acquired the operations from Glencore and plans to evaluate the Kidd Met Site for future gold processing.
Critical Mineral
Why Copper Matters
Electrification & EVs
A single EV contains roughly 53 kg of copper — 2.9× more than a conventional car. With 22 million EVs sold globally in 2025, EV-related copper demand is projected to reach 2.5 million tonnes annually by 2030.
Grid Infrastructure
Grid investments reached $400 billion in 2025, consuming 12.5 million tonnes of copper. Renewable energy installations require 2.5–7× more copper per megawatt than fossil-fuel plants.
AI & Data Centres
Data centre electricity consumption is projected to reach 1,050 TWh by 2026. Every megawatt of capacity requires copper-intensive transformers, busbars, cabling, and cooling systems.
The Supply Challenge
Global copper demand is projected to reach 42 million metric tons by 2040 — a 50% increase. Canada's mines and expansion projects are an increasingly vital link in global supply chains.
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