en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Australia's total copper exports reached A$5.2 billion in the 12 months to April 2026, a historic high. Data shows that exports of copper and copper products amounted to A$3.35 billion, while copper ore and concentrate exports totaled A$1.85 billion. Exports of refined copper and copper products increased by A$542.6 million compared to the previous 12 months.
India was the largest market for South Australia's copper exports, with a value of A$1.32 billion, up 195% year-on-year. Other major markets included Malaysia (A$1.3 billion), China (A$1.17 billion), and Thailand (A$459.9 million).
South Australia's Treasurer, Tom Koutsantonis, stated that global demand for copper is likely to "remain strong for a long time to come." Koutsantonis said: "We know that global demand for copper is likely to remain strong for a long time to come, and South Australia, with two-thirds of Australia's known copper reserves, is well positioned to meet this demand. We are doing everything we can to seize this major opportunity—our new agreement with BHP Group (ASX: BHP) could help develop a world-class copper mining district in South Australia. BHP expects capital expenditure of up to A$25 billion in South Australia over the next 10 years, and we are providing investment certainty to leverage this historic opportunity to expand copper mining and production."
South Australia's Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Chris Picton, described the state's exports as "the highest ever." Picton said: "We are continuing to expand exports with diversified trading partners, which helps us navigate geopolitical challenges. Our state is increasingly becoming a global supplier of critical minerals needed for the energy transition and technologies shaping the future. Rapid economic growth in Southeast Asia presents a significant opportunity for South Australian businesses, with the region now accounting for over 40% of our total copper exports."
As of June 17, 2026, according to Trading Economics data, copper was trading at US$6.49 (A$9.18) per pound, up 33.85% year-on-year. PTR Minerals (ASX: PTR) is a company focused on advancing South Australian assets, with a portfolio including the Muckanippie Titanium Project, the Mabel Creek Copper-Gold Project, the Comet Rare Earth Project, and the Woomera Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) Project. The Woomera project covers 668 square kilometers and is located near BHP's Oak Dam West copper-gold discovery. With a market capitalization of A$41.48 million, the company is a critical minerals explorer focused on discovering deposits in frontier and mature mineral provinces.
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