10. Alcoa

Alcoa isn’t just the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, but they practically invented all the ways in which today’s modern aluminum use has been portrayed. With innovation streaming in their veins, the company has taken an interest in aerospace, automotive, building and construction with operations in over 31 countries.

9. Newmont Mining Corp

Setting the standard for sustainable practices and business strategy in the gold mining industry, Newmont Mining was the first gold mining company to make the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, which they’ve held for the last four years, in addition to ranking 16th on Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens List.

8. Goldcorp

Gold is a great industry to be in at the moment, and Goldcorp knows all too well there is no better time than the present to invest. The Vancouver based mining company with more than 14,000 employees takes a unique approach to getting headlines, offering innovation approaches to their growing reputation.

7. Teck



With a focus solely in mining, Teck is Canada’s largest diversified mining company. Interested in the exploration, development, processing, smelting and refining of metallurgical coal, copper and zinc, Teck Cominco Limited owns 13 mines throughout Canada, the US, Chile and Peru.

6. Barrick Gold



A renowned company that takes on a lot more than just the mining industry, Barrick Gold Corporation also has an interest in the sale and production of gold and copper, in addition to hosting Canada oil and gas properties. Barrick Gold’s general mining regions are located in North and South America, Africa and Australia Pacific.

5. Freeport-McMoran



A Phoenix based company that has power internationally, Freeport-McMoRan separates itself from its competitors by way of its broad portfolio. With the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, mining operations in North and South America, the Tenke Fungurume minerals in the Congo and operations in Atlantic Cooper, they’ve preserved their strength for years.

4. Anglo American



Commercializing on community involvement and employee care, Anglo American started an ad campaign last August to personalize the company. The team that makes up one of the largest mining companies in the world help to secure major assets in copper, iron ore, metallurgical coal, nickel and thermal coal in the UK, Australia, Brazil and South Africa.

3. Rio Tinto



Despite 2009’s failed merger with Chinalco, Rio Tinto’s luck hasn’t changed much since the trial and sentencing of four Rio Tinto employees on charges of bribery. Their more than 60,000 employees in 40 countries continue to dominate the production of aluminum, iron core, copper, uranium, coal and diamonds.

2. Vale



Vale is always runner up on this list, but not for lack of trying; as the largest logistics operator in Brazil, they rule the world in production of iron ore and pellets, coming second in nickel and producing copper, aluminum and alumina as well.

1. BHP Billiton



2010 was a great one for BHP Billiton. The company, who operate nine customer sector groups, realized annual productions of 158.56 million barrels of oil equivalent – placing them at the top of the industry’s list. Petroleum wasn’t the only thing that garnered such a great number for the team, as they accumulated 1.2 million tonnes of aluminum, 13.9 million tonnes of bauxite and 3.8 million tonnes of alumina.

Though BHP Billiton is a relatively new company, forming in 2001, its roots date back to the 1800s before BHP and Billiton merged. BHP, originally headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, was incorporated in 1885 as a natural resources company. Since 1860 Billiton has been a leader in the metals and mining industry, producing aluminum and alumina.