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Chile targets new copper buyers and plans US$100 billion in investment
Chile produced 5.3 million tonnes of copper in 2025, while China now takes about 58.0% of global copper, deepening the risk from a concentrated buyer base.
Chile’s new government is looking to reduce its dependence on Chinese copper demand by widening the list of countries that buy its metal, its foreign minister said. The effort is also aimed at attracting about US$100 billion in mining investment over the next decade, according to SCMP Economy.
Francisco Perez Mackenna said China would remain a major client due to its industrial capacity, and he cited continued global demand growth as data centre investment accelerates. He framed the challenge as a highly concentrated copper market where the number of key buyers needs to broaden.
The article says China’s share of copper consumption has increased over the past decade, now taking roughly 58.0% of global copper and more than half of Chilean shipments. Chile produced 5.3 million tonnes in 2025, about a quarter of global output, making it the largest producer and a supplier that is hard to replace quickly.
According to central bank figures referenced in the report, the dependence on China is uneven and falls almost entirely on unprocessed ore through June, highlighting why Chile is seeking diversification beyond its current export structure.
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