Is copper a good investment in Australia?

Copper can be a solid long-term investment as it’s essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and infrastructure development. Its price tends to move with global economic growth, so investors should expect some volatility and consider their risk tolerance before investing.

How can I buy copper stocks in Australia?

You can buy copper stocks through an online share trading platform that offers access to the ASX or international markets. Once your account is verified and funded, search for a copper mining or exploration company and place your trade.

What factors influence copper prices?

Copper prices are largely driven by supply and demand, global economic activity, construction growth and technological demand such as renewable energy and electric vehicles. Disruptions at mining sites, currency movements and geopolitical issues also play a role.

What are the risks of investing in copper stocks?

The main risks include fluctuating commodity prices, operational challenges at mining sites, regulatory changes and shifts in demand from major economies. Copper stocks can also be affected by broader market downturns.

Are there copper ETFs available on the ASX?

There are limited options for copper-focused ETFs directly on the ASX, but investors can access global ETFs that track copper prices or copper mining companies via platforms that offer international trading.

What are some alternatives to investing in copper stocks?

Investors can gain exposure through copper ETFs, copper futures, or diversified mining companies that have copper as part of their portfolio. Another option is investing in renewable or industrial sectors that indirectly benefit from copper demand.

How do global economic trends affect copper stocks?

Because copper is widely used in manufacturing and construction, stronger global growth usually boosts prices and lifts copper mining stocks. Conversely, during economic slowdowns or recessions, demand and prices tend to drop.

Why is copper important to the clean energy transition?

Copper is essential for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and power grids due to its superior conductivity. As countries push towards net-zero targets, copper demand is expected to climb, which can influence miner revenues and stock performance.

Can I invest in copper directly rather than through stocks?

Yes. You can gain direct exposure by purchasing copper futures or commodity-backed exchange-traded products. However, these options often come with higher complexity and risks compared to owning mining shares.

Which countries are the largest producers of copper?

Key producers include Chile, Peru, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Australia. Production levels and export policies in these countries can influence global supply and copper prices.

Copper Stocks Australia 2026: Best ASX Picks

Top copper stocks in 2024 Best ASX copper stocks

Start investing Pick a trading platform

Compare both pure-play copper miners and diversified mining companies to match your risk appetite and exposure goals.
If you want copper exposure without picking individual stocks, explore global copper ETFs or CFD platforms.
Watch copper price movements and global demand drivers like EV adoption to time your investment effectively and manage short-term volatility.

Copper is among the world's most highly consumed metals. It has an abundance of uses – from our homes to industrial machinery and even plays a critical role in reaching net-zero.

If you're looking to invest in copper stocks, you can choose between pure-play copper stocks on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), such as Sandfire (SFR), or you can buy miners that produce many different metals including copper, such as BHP Group (BHP).

You also have the option of investing in copper ETFs (exchange-traded funds) or trading copper futures or options.

This guide will cover how you can invest in copper stocks in Australia, along with the pros and cons, as well as the best performing copper stocks on the ASX.

Copper market roundup

Copper took a pretty solid hit and fell 12.3% last month. The industrial metal is largely seen as a barometer for global economic health and these downward movements show less confidence in manufacturing and construction demand right now.

Taking a step back shows the slump isn't just a quick blip. Copper dropped 6.35% over the past three months and declined 4.28% for the year to date. It has definitely been a bumpy ride across its 52-week range for anyone tracking the journey.

Types of copper stocks

There are 2 main types of copper stocks on the ASX:

Pure-play copper companies: These are businesses that focus exclusively on copper production.
Large mining companies: These are miners that produce copper and a bunch of other minerals as part of a wider mining activities.

While both types of stocks will give you exposure to copper, they do come with their own specific strengths and weaknesses.

A pure copper miner has a greater exposure to copper, which could be a positive when the price of copper is rising but a downside when prices are falling.

By comparison, larger mining companies may be diversified across a number of commodities, which could be a better hedge when copper prices are struggling, but might not offer the same upside when prices are high.

If you're looking at buying copper stocks, here are a few things to watch out for:

Best ASX copper stocks

There are more than a dozen copper stocks on the ASX. We've listed 9 of them below, with their year-to-date and 5-year performance as at 14 June 2024 (TradingView data). These figures haven't been updated since then, so check current prices and performance before you invest.

1. Australian Gold and Copper Limited (ASX: AGC)
Year-to-date performance: 480.88%
5-year performance: 97.50%

2. Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC)
Year-to-date performance: 73.17%
5-year performance: -71.60%

3. Bougainville Copper Limited (ASX: BOC)
Year-to-date performance: 61.43%
5-year performance: 413.64%

4. Aeris Resources Limited (ASX: AIS)
Year-to-date performance: 58.62%
5-year performance: -39.38%

5. Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX: CYM)
Year-to-date performance: 46.67%
5-year performance: -78.00%

6. Culpeo Minerals Limited (ASX: CPO)
Year-to-date performance: 22.22%
5-year performance: -80.00%

7. AIC Mines Limited (ASX: A1M)
Year-to-date performance: 21.74%
5-year performance: 31.94%

8. Sandfire Resources (ASX: SFR)
Year-to-date performance: 17.38%
5-year performance: 40.34%

9. Caravel Minerals Limited (ASX: CVV)
Year-to-date performance: 13.89%
5-year performance: 339.65%

Buy copper ETFs

To date, there are no pure-play copper ETFs listed on the ASX, but there are some copper ETFs listed in the US. These ETFs include the following:

Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX)
United States Copper Index Fund (CPER)
iPath Series B Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN (JJC)

Pros

Immediate diversification into the asset class
Don't need to identify individual copper miners that will win in the sector

Cons

You will have to pay a management fee
You do not take ownership of the underlying asset

How to trade copper stocks: choosing a platform

6 of 30 results

Finder Score	AU Trading Fee	US Trading Fee	Asset Class
9.6 Excellent Moomoo Share Trading Finder Award	9.6 Excellent	$3.00	US$0.99	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	Welcome offer: Enjoy 30 days of $0 brokerage on AU and US stocks and receive up to 38 free shares when you open and fund your account and complete qualifying tasks. Offer ends 30 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Trade major markets with built-in social trading tools.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.7 Great eToro Most Loved	8.7 Great	US$2.00	US$2.00	ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	$150 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then sign up as a new eToro customer through Finder, deposit at least $300 and complete a trade within 60 days of account opening to receive a $150 digital Visa gift card. Ends 31 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply.	CFD service. Capital at risk. Trade a range of assets from a single account with access to social trading features.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.3 Excellent Tiger Brokers Finder Award	9.3 Excellent	$3.00	US$2.00	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	$120 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then sign up to Tiger Brokers through Finder, deposit $2,000 within 7 days and complete a qualifying BUY trade within 20 days to receive a $120 digital Visa gift card. Ends 31 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply. Deposit any amount and receive $20 to trade in Tiger Brokers. Plus 4x zero brokerage trades and no FX fees on the first $2,000 you exchange every month. T&Cs apply.	Trade US, Asian and CHESS-sponsored ASX stocks, China A-class shares, plus US and Hong Kong options and ETFs.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.8 Excellent Webull Finder Award	9.8 Excellent	$1.00	$0.00	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	$150 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then sign up to Webull as a new customer, deposit at least $2,000 in a single transaction and place at least 1 BUY order for a US-listed stock or ETF to receive a $150 digital Visa gift card. Ends 2 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply. Bonus offer: Get up to 25,000 bonus Qantas Points on eligible Webull deposits and share transfers by 31 Jan 2027. Plus, earn monthly points on your international trades. T&Cs apply.	Invest in over 15,000 shares, options, and $0 Brokerage on all U.S. and Australian Chess-Sponsored ETFs.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.3 Excellent IG Share Trading Finder Award	9.3 Excellent	$0.00	US$0.00	ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, UK shares, ETFs	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.9 Excellent CMC Invest Finder Award	9.9 Excellent	$0.00	$0.00	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, mFunds, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	Trade 40,000+ listed securities across the local markets and 15 major global exchanges.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 6 of 6 results

Finder Score for share trading platforms

We've scored over 30 share trading platforms assessing them for their core features, fees, customer experience and accessibility. Our experts give each platform a score out of 10.

Read the full methodology

Purchase copper futures, CFDs or other options

You can invest in the asset through its future prices without actually taking ownership of it.

In Australia, contracts for difference (CFDs) are most commonly used when it comes to trading commodities.

CFDs are derivative investment products that allow you to trade on the future prices of underlying assets such as commodities, stocks and indices.

By investing in copper CFDs, you're speculating on the price of the asset in the future. In other words, you're agreeing to pay today's prices for an asset that gets delivered sometime in the future.

If the price rises between now and the time when the CFD finishes, you'll either make or lose money depending on how the trade played out. For example if you think the price of copper will fall and trade against it, but instead the price rises, you'll lose your investment.

On the flip side, you can also place orders against copper. If you think the price will drop, you can "short" the contract. This means they put in an order to sell the asset at today's prices for delivery in the future. Now, if prices drop between the time the short contract was purchased and the contract expiry date, the trader would potentially make money. If prices rise, they could lose money.

However, CFDs are a much riskier way to gain exposure to the sector. It is not advised that beginners use CFDs.

Futures and other options work in a similar way. When it comes to future copper contracts, you're agreeing to buy an asset at a future set price. In other words, you're agreeing to pay today's prices for an asset that gets delivered sometime in the future. You can once again go long (expect the price to rise) or short (expect the price to fall) in the futures markets.

Pros

If you can read the market, you can gain solid yields from your investment
You can invest in a market that is falling
CFDs/futures contacts can be used to day trade

Cons

These assets are highly risky – add leverage and you can lose a lot of money quickly
You don't own underlying assets – you own futures contracts and are speculating on the price of copper

Compare CFD brokers to trade copper futures

Disclaimer: General information only. All forms of investments (and in particular, trading CFDs, commodities and forex) carry significant risk, including the risk of losing more than the invested amounts, market volatility and liquidity risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Such activities are not suitable for most investors.

20 of 26 results

Minimum Opening Deposit	Commission	Minimum Trade Size (Lots)	Platforms
Pepperstone Forex Trading (Razor Account)	AUD 0	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView Pepperstone Trading Platform	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Choose from a range of fee-free funding methods, plus multiple trading tools including Smart Trader Tools for MetaTrader and cTrader platforms.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Go Markets Forex Trading	AUD 0	$0		MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Vantage Forex Trading	AUD 50	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 TradingView Vantage app Vantage Web Trading	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Spreads start from 0.0 on major currency pairs like AUD/USD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD and more. Plus you can places trades and find global trends through the TradingView charts platform. Trade with our RAW account with just $1 per lot each side	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
FP Markets (Standard Account)	AUD 0	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView IRESS Mottai Trader	Trading CFDs and forex on leverage is high-risk and losses could exceed your deposits. Low minimum opening deposit, real-time news and pricing, and customisable alerts based on news or technical trading indicators.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Capital.com	AUD 20	$0	0	Capital.com web trading platform, Capital.com mobile trading app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Plus500 Forex Trading	AUD 100	$0		Plus500 Trading Platform	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Minimum spreads of 0.01% for major currencies. Customers should visit Plus500's website for updated spreads in real time. Open an account and experience Plus500's easy-to-use proprietary trading platform, 24/7 online chat support and free real-time forex quotes.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
CMC Markets	AUD 0	$0	0.01	CMC Markets Platform, MetaTrader 4, TradingView	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Mitrade Forex	AUD 50	$0	0.01	Mitrade Trading Platform	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
FOREX.com Forex Trading	AUD 150	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4 At Pro Advantage Web	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Choice of trading platforms, integrated Reuters news and device-synching so you can monitor trades across multiple devices.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
OANDA Forex Trading	AUD 0	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4, fxTrade	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Blueberry Markets Forex Trading	USD 100	$0	0.01	MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Bottom of the market fees on forex, CFDs and commodities with 24/7 quality customer service.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Hantec Markets Australia	AUD 0	$0	0.01		View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Global Prime Forex	AUD 0	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
eToro Forex Trading	USD 50	$0	0.01	eToro Trading Platform	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Social trading, advanced charting tools, plus receive exclusive benefits through the eToro Club (membership is tiered based on the equity in your trading account).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ACY Securities Forex Trading	USD 50	$0	0.01	MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 LogixTrader	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Trade over 2,200 CFDs instruments across forex, shares, ETFs, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrency.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
AvaTrade Forex Trading	AUD 100		0.01	MetaTrader4 MetaTrader5 AvaTradeAct web trading AvaOptions AvaTradeGO Automated Trading	Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Enjoy minimum spreads of 0.01% for major currencies pairs as well as gain access to trading crypto currency pairs through Avatrade.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ThinkMarkets Forex Trading	AUD 0	$0	0.01	MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, ThinkTrader	Trading CFDs and forex on leverage is high-risk and losses could exceed your deposits. Trade forex, commodities and CFDs using MetaTrader4/MetaTrader5 platforms or access advanced analysis tools through ThinkTrader.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Fusion Markets	AUD 0	$0	0.01	MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
easyMarkets Forex Trading	AUD 200	$0		MetaTrader 4	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Axi Forex	AUD 100	$0	0.01	MetaTrader4, MetaTrader4 Next Gen, Psyquation, AutoChartist, WebTrader, Axi-One ECN	Trading CFDs and forex on leverage is high-risk and losses could exceed your deposits. Axi uses the popular MT4 trading platform along with several free add-ons. Live chat, email and phone support available 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. *Important:* Axi is undergoing a review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal into a recent decision by ASIC to suspend its Australian financial services (AFS) licence. Until a final decision has been made by the Tribunal, AxiCorp can continue normal operations.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 20 of 26 results

Why invest in copper stocks?

Copper has an expansive range of industrial and consumer applications – from factories and transmission lines to homes and electronics. And the recent push for electric vehicles (EVs) is likely to increase the demand for this essential metal.

Electric vehicles have 5 times more copper than traditional cars.

And this new driving technology will also require large amounts of copper to support its electric charging infrastructure. Copper’s strong ties to many sectors of the economy likely mean that the demand isn’t going anywhere.

Not only is demand expected to grow due to EVs, it also plays an important role in solar and wind energy systems. So regardless of what green energy initiative is implemented, it is likely that copper stocks will benefit.

What is copper used for?

Copper is a reddish-orange metal that is corrosion-resistant and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. In its natural state, copper is soft, solid and can be moulded into different shapes and thicknesses.

It is naturally found in ore deposits that are mined or leached. Mining crushes and grinds the ore into powder, where the unwanted materials and other impurities are removed. Leaching uses sulphuric acid to remove the copper from the other ore minerals.

Copper has a plethora of uses across 5 main markets:

Construction. Wiring, heating, refrigeration and plumbing all use copper materials.
Electrical and electronics. Utilities and electronics need copper wiring and parts.
Consumer products. Cookware and household appliances use their fair share of this raw material.
Transportation. Vehicles, including aeroplanes, cars and trucks, are manufactured with copper.
Industrial equipment. Machinery consumes millions of pounds of copper every year.

Copper stocks generally refer to companies that explore, develop, produce and sell copper all over the world.

Risks of investing in copper stocks

While copper is one of the most abundant metals on Earth, only a small portion is economically viable to extract at today’s prices using current technologies. So mining companies are vulnerable to copper price fluctuations, which are easily impacted by geopolitics.

For example, global copper prices fell to their 2-year low in 2019. It was collateral damage amid the escalating trade war between the US and China – a country that consumes over 50% of the world’s metal. So even when the sector has tailwinds, that can easily change.

An additional risk is that there are other practical substitutes for copper.

In some instances, manufacturers can use aluminium instead of copper. These include automobile radiators and optical fibre in telecommunications equipment. Plastics can also be used for pipes and plumbing fixtures instead of copper. As such, it could see a lower demand for copper, meaning the price of the commodity could fall.

Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.

Bottom line

Copper is involved in a lot of economic sectors. While copper's consumer and industrial applications keep it in demand, you’ll need to keep an eye on global trade wars.

Consider a few different trading platforms that offer international brokerage accounts to add copper to your investment portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

Important information: Powered by Finder.com.au. This information is general in nature and is no substitute for professional advice. It does not take into account your personal situation. This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for most investors. You do not own or have any interest in the underlying asset. Capital is at risk, including the risk of losing more than the amount originally put in, market volatility and liquidity risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Tax on profits may apply. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination for the product on the provider's website. Consider your own circumstances, including whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money and possess the relevant experience and knowledge. We recommend that you obtain independent advice from a suitably licensed financial advisor before making any trades.

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
1. Copper statistics
2. Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Thank you for your feedback!

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Kylie Purcell

Investments Analyst

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Kylie Purcell is an experienced investments analyst and finance journalist with over a decade of expertise in a wide range of financial products, including online trading platforms, robo-advisors, stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. She is a sought-after commentator and regularly shares her insights on the AFR, Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool, SBS and News.com.au. Kylie hosts the Investment Finder video series and actively contributes to the investment community as a judge and panellist. She holds a Master of Arts in International Journalism, a Graduate Diploma in Economics, and ASIC-recognised certifications in securities and managed investments. See full bio

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How to invest in copper in Australia

Copper stocks on the ASX remain one of the hottest commodities. Here’s what you should consider before investing in the asset.