Best ASX copper stocks

These three copper stocks show stable growth with production updates strong results and ongoing expansion projects in 2026.

Best 3 ASX copper stocks

True North Copper Limited (ASX: TNC) 

Capstone Copper Corp. (ASX: CSC) 

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) 

True North Copper Limited (ASX: TNC) 

True North Copper Limited on 12 May 2026 ended the 2025 Cloncurry Copper Project drilling campaign in Northwest Queensland. The program enclosed 3,500m of RC drilling and 2,300m of diamond drilling attentive on resource progress near current mines and technical studies for the 2026 PFS.

The company reported follow-up drilling on strong copper and gold zones including 9m at 4.33% copper and 3.64g/t gold from 108m. RC assay results are expected from early June while diamond drilling results plus metallurgical and geotechnical studies are due through September.

In the Q3 FY2026 report released for the period ending 31 March 2026, Mt Oxide drilling confirmed the Aquila discovery as a wide high-grade copper cobalt and silver system. Results included 59m at 1.77% copper from 134m. The project also secured about $750k in government support.

Cloncurry resources increased to 109kt contained copper. The company ended the quarter with $12.3m cash.

Capstone Copper Corp. (ASX: CSC) 

Capstone Copper Corp on 30 April 2026 shared its Q1 2026 financial results. CSC achieved record EBITDA of $329.1 million and adjusted earnings of $94.8 million as copper prices continued strong throughout the quarter.

Copper production for Q1 touched 47,960 tonnes at cash costs of $2.66 per pound. The output was lower than last year mostly due to a 35day strike at the Mantoverde operation which had already been included in yearly guidance.

In March 2026 the company repaid a $30 million deposit under its Gold PMPA agreement with Wheaton. Net debt fell to $737.5 million whereas available liquidity increased to more than $1 billion including cash and unused credit lines.

CSC kept its 2026 guidance unchanged with expected copper production of 200,000 to 230,000 tonnes. The MV Optimized Project also continued on path with the capital estimation remaining at $176 million.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) 

on 21 April 2026 shared its first quarter 2026 production update. Copper equivalent production rose 9% from last year as the Oyu Tolgoi mine continued increasing output and the aluminium business performed well.

Pilbara iron ore operations delivered one of the company’s strongest first quarter results since 2018. Iron ore shipments were affected by two cyclones during the period though some lost volumes are expected to be recovered later.

RIO also on track drilling at the Resolution Copper project after finishing the land exchange in March 2026. The Fenix 1B and Sal de Vida lithium projects reached mechanical completion with first production planned for the second half of 2026.

The company said the Middle East conflict had not caused major problems for operations. Higher diesel and freight costs increased pressure on expenses while copper and aluminium prices stayed firm during the quarter.

(Source: Company Report)