South Australia benefitted from record copper prices last year, exporting more than $3 billion-worth of product in the 12 months to November 2025.
The figure represents a 16 per cent increase year-on-year from $2.65 billion.
Copper is essential to many of the technologies being deployed around the world to electrify and decarbonise economies and features heavily in the infrastructure for information technology.
With an increased use of artificial intelligence, the South Australian government said, demand for the state’s copper is only set to increase.
The impressive numbers are no “flash in the pan”, however, with stats showing the total value of South Australia’s copper exports – including copper ores and concentrates – has grown by almost 100 per cent from $2.15 billion in 2015–16 to $4.28 billion in 2024–25.
“With its abundant proven and prospective copper resources, South Australia is incredibly well-placed to meet this demand. But we’re not resting on our laurels,” South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said.
“Ramping up production from existing and new deposits takes risk, effort and long-term commitment from private sector explorers, investors and developers, and the support of governments and communities.”
South Australia is known to host almost 70 per cent of Australia’s economic copper reserves, with major mines like Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill in production, and more opportunities under investigation and various stages of development.
“Right now, South Australia has a chance to ride a global wave of demand to greater prosperity. We’re doing everything in our power to seize this significant opportunity,” Koutsantonis said.
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