The top 10 best mining companies to invest in (by revenue)

Mining companies play an essential role in the global economy by extracting valuable resources from the earth that are used to power industries ranging from technology to construction.  

With increasing demand for these resources, some of the biggest mining companies in the world are an attractive option for investors seeking growth and diversification.

In this article, we will explore some of the top mining companies in the world to invest in based on their revenue, earnings and market cap. 

1. Glencore

• Revenue: $255.98 billion 

• Earnings: $22.87 billion 

• Listed on: London Stock Exchange (LSE), Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) 

• Market cap: $74.61 billion 

Glencore is a British-Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company that operates in several regions, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

The company produces commodities such as copper, cobalt, zinc, nickel, and coal. With revenue exceeding $200 billion, it makes it one of the biggest mining companies in the world.

2. Rio Tinto PLC

• Revenue: $54.04 billion 

• Earnings: $15.74 billion 

• Listed on: London Stock Exchange (LSE), Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 

• Market cap: $117.43 billion 

Rio Tinto is a British-Australian multinational mining company that operates in several regions, including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

The company produces commodities such as iron ore, aluminium, copper, diamonds, and uranium.

3. BHP Group

• Revenue: $53.81 billion 

• Earnings: $23.55 billion 

• Listed on: Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), London Stock Exchange (LSE), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 

• Market cap: $148.66 billion 

BHP Group Limited is an Australian multinational mining and petroleum company with operations in over 90 countries.

It is the world's largest mining company by market cap and one of the top producers of commodities such as iron ore, copper, and petroleum. 

4. China Shenhua Energy

• Revenue: $47.9 billion 

• Earnings: $12.71 billion 

• Listed on: Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) 

• Market cap: $109.33 billion 

China Shenhua Energy is the largest state-owned coal mining enterprise in mainland China, and in the world.

The company mines, refines, and sells coal and generates and sells electric power in China.

It also operates an integrated railway network transporting coal and some non-coal commodities.  

5. Vale

• Revenue: $41.8 billion 

• Earnings: $11.87 billion 

• Listed on: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3) 

• Market cap: $54.65 billion 

Vale is a Brazilian multinational mining company that is one of the largest producers of iron ore and nickel in the world.

The company also produces copper, manganese, coal, and other minerals. Vale operates in several countries, including Brazil, Canada, and Mozambique. 

6. Zijin Mining  

• Revenue: $40.85 billion 

• Earnings: $5.07 billion 

• Listed on: Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) 

• Market cap: $63.23 billion 

Zijin Mining is a China-based multinational mining company that primarily engages in the prospecting, exploration, and mining of gold, copper, and other mineral resources.

They are also one of the largest producers of gold, copper and zinc in China. 

7. Anglo American

• Revenue: $30.65 billion 

• Earnings: $3.59 billion 

• Listed on: London Stock Exchange (LSE), Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) 

• Market cap: $40.73 billion 

Anglo American is a British multinational mining company with its headquarters in London.

It is the world's largest producer of platinum and a major producer of diamonds, copper, nickel, iron ore and coal.

Anglo American operates in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. 

8. Nutrien 

• Revenue: $29.05 billion 

• Earnings: $1.95 billion 

• Listed on: Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 

• Market cap: $29.37 billion 

Nutrien is a Canadian fertiliser company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

It is the world’s largest potash producer, with over 20 million tonnes of potash capacity with many potash mines located in Saskatchewan.

Nutrien has over 2,000 retail locations across North America, South America, and Australia. 

9. Freeport-McMoRan 

• Revenue: $22.85 billion

• Earnings: $6 billion 

• Listed on: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 

• Market cap: $73.54 billion 

Freeport-McMoRan is an American mining company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Freeport is the world's largest producer of molybdenum. It’s also a major copper producer and the operator of the world's largest gold mine, the Grasberg mine in Papua, Indonesia. 

10. Yanzhou Coal Mining

• Revenue: $20.19 billion

• Net income: $5.85 billion 

• Listed on: Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)

• Market cap: $22.61 billion 

Yanzhou Coal is a mining company based in mainland China.

It primarily engages in underground coal mining, preparation and processing, sales, and railway transportation of coal.

The company operates several mines across China and a regional rail network that connects them all to the country’s national rail network. 

If you’re new to investing or want to explore your options for investing in mining companies further, it’s always recommended to seek financial advice first. 

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Disclaimer: All figures are taken from Companies Market Cap and are up to date as of 24.05.2024. This article should not be considered investment advice and it's recommended you get professional advice before making any investment decisions.