Copper Highlights: Four Mining Giants Positioned for Major 2026 Upside

The investment landscape is shifting in early 2026, and copper highlights are commanding attention across financial markets. While precious metals dominated headlines in 2025—gold surging over 60% and silver climbing beyond 150%—the red metal is now positioning itself as the next major opportunity. Copper rallied approximately 40% last year and is set to accelerate further as demand drivers intensify and supply tightens globally.

Several mining leaders are at the forefront of this copper highlights story, offering investors strategic exposure to the multi-year trend. This analysis examines why copper is entering its moment, which four companies are best positioned to capitalize, and what market dynamics are fueling the bull case.

Why Copper Highlights a Major Investment Opportunity

Copper highlights the perfect convergence of structural supply constraints and explosive demand growth. The initial spark came from U.S. tariff concerns in 2025, when companies rushed to stockpile inventory. Though tariffs were ultimately postponed, the buying spree had already drained global supply pipelines. Simultaneously, production disruptions in major mining regions—Chile, Peru, and Indonesia—further tightened availability.

On the demand side, copper highlights a critical role in the global energy transition. Electric vehicles, renewable power grids, and industrial infrastructure all rely heavily on copper’s superior conductivity and durability. But the emerging game-changer is artificial intelligence. Hyperscale data centers built for AI and cloud computing consume massive quantities of copper for wiring, power systems, and cooling infrastructure—some facilities alone requiring tens of thousands of tons.

China’s aggressive procurement strategy adds another layer. As the world’s largest copper consumer and manufacturer, Beijing is locking in long-term supply agreements, further pressuring global inventories. Industry experts widely agree this represents a structural shortage rather than a cyclical squeeze. Combined with a weakening U.S. dollar and rising investment interest, copper highlights are increasingly viewed as both a growth engine and portfolio hedge.

Four Mining Leaders Capitalizing on Copper Highlights

Ero Copper Corp. (ERO): The Brazilian producer runs two copper mines—Caraíba and Tucumã—plus the Xavantina gold operation. Q3 2025 results showcased record copper production of 16,664 tonnes of concentrate at just $2 per pound cash costs, driven by acceleration at Tucumã. Management expects Q4 2025 to benefit from higher throughput and richer ore grades. Beyond current operations, Ero Copper is advancing the Furnas Copper-Gold Project in Brazil’s Carajás Province, targeting a 60% stake through a Vale partnership. The Zacks Consensus Estimate implies 38% sales growth and 100% EPS expansion for 2026, with EPS estimates rising 38 cents over the past week. ERO carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

BHP Group Ltd. (BHP): The Australian diversified miner operates a sprawling portfolio across copper, iron ore, nickel, coal, and potash. Copper now represents 39% of EBITDA—among the highest ratios in the sector. BHP targets roughly 2 million tons of annual copper production by the 2030s through assets like Escondida, Pampa Norte, Antamina, and the Resolution Copper joint venture in the U.S. In October 2025, BHP announced a $550 million investment to expand Olympic Dam operations, positioning the company for substantially higher output by mid-decade. Zacks consensus forecasts 23% EPS growth for fiscal 2026, with estimates climbing 33 cents over 60 days. BHP sports a Zacks Rank #1.

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO): The U.K. mining powerhouse operates the Kennecott mine in Utah and holds a 66% stake in Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world’s largest copper deposits poised to become the global fourth-largest copper producer by 2030. Rio Tinto is also developing the Resolution Copper project and the Winu copper-gold asset in Australia (with Sumitomo Metal Mining). Speculation around a potential Glencore acquisition could create the industry’s largest player with massive additional copper and cobalt exposure. Zacks consensus suggests 6% sales and EPS growth for 2026, with EPS estimates jumping 65 cents over the past 60 days. RIO maintains Zacks Rank #1.

Southern Copper Corp. (SCCO): The company holds the largest copper reserves globally and operates premier mines in Mexico and Peru. With a $15 billion capital investment plan this decade—$10.3 billion earmarked for Peru—Southern Copper is betting big on growth. Major projects include Tía María (targeting 120,000 tons of cathodes annually), Los Chancas (130,000 tons of copper plus 7,500 tons of molybdenum starting 2030-2031), and Michiquillay (225,000 tons annually plus gold and silver). Zacks consensus expects 10% sales growth and 18% EPS expansion for 2026, with estimates up 6 cents over 30 days. SCCO carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

The Investment Case: Copper Highlights Suggest Strength Ahead

These copper highlights collectively point toward a multi-year structural bull market. The four companies offer varying risk-return profiles but shared upside from tight supply and rising demand. Ero Copper presents the most aggressive growth profile with triple-digit EPS expansion expectations. BHP and Rio Tinto offer global scale and diversified cash flows alongside meaningful copper leverage. Southern Copper provides low-cost production and a massive pipeline of tier-one projects.

For investors seeking exposure to copper highlights and the broader energy transition, these mining stocks represent strategic entry points in early 2026.

Data sourced from Zacks Investment Research consensus estimates and company filings as of early February 2026.