Estimate of undiscovered copper resources of the world, 2013
February 27, 2014
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 3,500 million metric tons (Mt) of undiscovered copper among 225 tracts around the world. Annual U.S. copper consumption is 2 Mt; global consumption is 20 Mt. The USGS assessed undiscovered copper in two deposit types that account for about 80 percent of the world's copper supply. Results of the assessment are provided by deposit type for 11 regions. Approximately 50 percent of the global total occurs in South America, South Central Asia and Indochina, and North America combined.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Title | Estimate of undiscovered copper resources of the world, 2013 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20143004 |
| Authors | Kathleen M. Johnson, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Michael L. Zientek, Connie L. Dicken |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Fact Sheet |
| Series Number | 2014-3004 |
| Index ID | fs20143004 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center |