Atlantic Copper
A Spanish copper refinery with production facilities in Huelva and headquarters in Madrid, partly owned by U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan. It processes more than one million tons of concentrate a year and produces copper cathodes, sulfuric acid, and precious metals.
About Atlantic Copper
Copper refining and related products
Atlantic Copper is a Spanish company that produces metals and copper-related products. Its main activity is copper refining, along with byproducts such as sulfuric acid, iron silicate, and anode slimes containing precious metals. Production facilities are in Huelva, with corporate offices in Madrid.
Operations and capacity
The company processes more than one million tons of copper concentrate a year, producing about 285,000 tons of copper cathodes, as well as sulfuric acid, iron silicate, and anode slimes rich in gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. Atlantic Copper describes itself as Spain's largest copper producer.
Products
- Copper cathodes
- Sulfuric acid
- Precious metals: gold, silver, palladium, and platinum
- Iron silicate
- Anode slimes
- Nickel
Business and employment
According to published company information, Atlantic Copper reported revenue of €2.807 billion in 2025, with exports accounting for 57% of the total. The company says it generates 2,920 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. Planned investment for that year was €177 million, including €10 million for research, development, and innovation. It works with more than 650 suppliers in Andalusia.
CirCular project
For more than two decades, Atlantic Copper has developed circular-economy initiatives, including recovering heat to generate electricity and reusing water. Its most prominent project is CirCular, scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2026. It is designed to recover nonferrous metals—including copper, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and tin—from waste electrical and electronic equipment processed by authorized waste managers. The project is planned to process 60,000 tons annually, with investment exceeding €500 million and more than 350 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.
History and ownership
Atlantic Copper has operated in Huelva and Andalusia for more than 50 years. In 1993, it became part of U.S. multinational Freeport-McMoRan, one of the world's largest copper producers, listed on the New York Stock Exchange as NYSE: FCX. The company marked its 50th anniversary in Huelva in 2020.
Atlantic Copper Foundation
Established in 2009, the Atlantic Copper Foundation has contributed more than €6 million to educational, environmental, social, and cultural activities in Huelva province.
Copper refining and precious metals