The **U.S. does produce a significant amount of copper**, but **it is not self-sufficient**. The country **imports copper to meet total domestic demand**.

### 🇺🇸 **U.S. Copper Production vs. Imports (2023 Data Approximate):**

| **Category** | **Amount (metric tons)** |

| -------------------------------- | ------------------------- |

| **U.S. Mined Production** | \~1.1 million metric tons |

| **Refined Copper Consumption** | \~1.8 million metric tons |

| **Net Imports (Refined Copper)** | \~700,000 metric tons |

### 🔍 Key Points:

* **U.S. copper mines produce about 60-65% of the copper needed**.

* The **remaining 35-40% comes from imports**, especially **refined copper and copper products**.

* Main copper import sources: **Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Canada**.

* The U.S. is **highly dependent on imports for refined copper** because domestic refining capacity is limited.

### Why Can't the U.S. Fully Supply Itself?

1. **Domestic mining constraints** — Environmental regulations and permitting processes.

2. **Lack of smelting/refining infrastructure** — Many U.S. copper ores are exported for refining abroad.

3. **Cost-efficiency** — It's cheaper to import certain types of refined copper than to process domestically.

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### TL;DR:

* The U.S. **produces a lot of copper but cannot fully meet domestic demand**.

* It **imports about 35-40%** of its copper needs, mainly refined copper from Latin America.

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Do you want me to list **which U.S. copper mining companies are the largest producers?**

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5756445&forum_id=2\u0026show=month#49143786)