The correct answer is (a) Chile.
Chile has been the world’s largest producer of copper since 2003. In 2013, Chile produced 5.7 million metric tons of copper, followed by China (5.2 million metric tons), Peru (1.8 million metric tons), and the United States (1.3 million metric tons).
Chile’s copper industry is dominated by a few large mining companies, including Codelco, Antofagasta Minerals, and BHP Billiton. These companies operate large open-pit mines in the Atacama Desert, which is one of the driest places on Earth. The mining process requires a large amount of water, which is a scarce resource in the Atacama Desert. As a result, the copper industry has been criticized for its environmental impact.
Despite its environmental impact, the copper industry is a major source of income for Chile. The industry employs about 200,000 people and accounts for about 10% of Chile’s GDP. Copper is also a major export for Chile, accounting for about 40% of the country’s exports.
The copper industry is expected to continue to be a major part of Chile’s economy in the future. The country has large reserves of copper, and the demand for copper is expected to grow in the coming years.