BHP, Codelco, Freeport vie for title of biggest copper producer

There’s a three-way battle underway for the title of the world’s biggest copper producer.

After buying Australia’s OZ Minerals , BHP Group is challenging for the mantle at a time when hitherto leader Codelco has seen output slide as it battles to overhaul aging operations in Chile. In fact, the Melbourne-based firm produced more than Codelco last quarter.