Russia could reach 2.5 million tonnes of copper output annually by the middle of the next decade. This forecast was announced by Oleg Kazanov, head of Rosnedra (Russia’s Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency). According to him, the growth will come from projects currently in active development. Russia currently produces about 1.3 million tonnes of copper and ranks among the world’s top five producers.
The statement was made on the sidelines of an SCO conference on best practices in subsoil use, held to mark the organization’s 25th anniversary. Kazanov emphasized that doubling production isn’t an abstract goal but a consequence of investment programs already underway. The timeline in question is the horizon of 2035.
For comparison, Russia produced roughly 1.3 million tonnes of copper in 2025. This data is confirmed by EI and USGS experts. Making the top five producing countries is the result of years of work by the mining and metallurgical sector, and the task now is to consolidate and build on that achievement.
Copper remains one of the key metals for the global economy. Demand for it is rising from the power sector, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers. Doubling Russian production would allow the country to strengthen its position in the global market and more fully supply its own high-tech industries.
Rosnedra’s forecast sets a benchmark for the country’s entire copper industry. If the announced projects reach full capacity, Russia could not only increase output but also become one of the leading players shaping supply balance in the global copper market.
Source: RIA Novosti
Image: Harmony Gold
