Investing in Mining Stocks

Learn about investing in mining shares. What are the benefits and risks of investing in mining companies? Discover 3 top mining stocks to watch in 2026 

Mining stocks are the shares of companies which locate, extract and process natural resources such as gold, copper or lithium. In this article, we will highlight some of the top mining stocks to watch in 2026.

The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Top Mining Stocks in 2026

In the following sections, we will take a close look at the following top mining companies.

• Newmont Corporation (NEM)
• Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)
• Rio Tinto (RIO)

Newmont Corporation (NEM)

Newmont Corporation is the largest gold mining company in the world in terms of both market capitalisation and production and is a constituent of the S&P 500 Index.  

Whilst the mining giant also produces copper, silver, zinc and lead, the vast majority of its revenue comes from gold. In 2024, gold accounted for 84% of total revenue, as the miner produced 6.8 million attributable gold ounces. 

It holds ownership (either fully or jointly) of gold mines around the world, in Africa, Australia, Papua New Guinea and throughout the Americas. 

In 2023, Newmont completed the $17 billion acquisition of Australian miner Newcrest, significantly expanding its gold and copper operations. Post-acquisition, Newmont claimed its portfolio featured more than half the world’s tier-one assets. 

Consequently, for those who still feel bullish on gold prices in 2026, Newmont may be an option to consider. However, due to its high exposure to the precious metal, if gold prices remain flat or fall this year, it is likely to negatively impact Newmont’s performance. 

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is one of the largest copper mining companies in the world. Its operations also include gold and molybdenum, but it is copper on which the miner is primarily focused. 

In 2024, copper accounted for three quarters of revenue, as FCX produced 4.2 billion pounds of copper.  

Its operations are spread throughout the Americas and in Indonesia, where it operates the Grasberg minerals district, one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits. 

Thanks to its conductivity, copper is likely to play a key role in electrification as the world transitions towards cleaner energy sources. With demand expected to rise in the coming years, the IEA has forecast that a supply deficit will develop later this decade, which would put upward pressure on copper prices. 

To meet growing demand, FCX is actively working on increasing its copper production, partly by exploring expansion opportunities at its Bagdad, Lone Star and El Abra mines. 

Rio Tinto (RIO)

Rio Tinto is a British-Australian mining company and is the largest mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), where it is a component of the FTSE 100 Index.

Compared to the other stocks examined so far, Rio Tinto is a more diversified mining company. It produces a wide range of commodities including iron ore, aluminium, copper, lithium and diamonds. 

The vast majority of Rio Tinto’s revenue is accounted for by iron ore, aluminium and copper – three metals which are essential for construction and infrastructure. In 2024, iron ore accounted for 51% of total revenue, whilst aluminium and copper accounted for 24% and 16% respectively. 

Recently, the mining giant has started to turn its attention to lithium, building a large portfolio of lithium assets. In late 2024, Rio Tinto invested $2.5 billion to expand its Rincon lithium project. A few months later, in early 2025, it acquired Arcadium Lithium for $6.7 billion. 

At the beginning of 2026, Rio Tinto is also exploring a possible merger with Glencore. If this takes place, the resulting entity would be the largest mining group in the world and the biggest copper producer, at a time when demand for the red metal is rising. 

Rio Tinto has a long history of dividend payments; whilst payouts have fluctuated over the years, it has consistently paid shareholders a dividend for more than 20 years. However, it should be noted that future payouts are never guaranteed. 

Investing in Mining Shares

Before considering buying mining shares, it’s important for investors to be aware of both the potential benefits and the risks. 

Benefits of Mining Stocks 

• Income Potential: Many mining companies distribute dividends to shareholders. 
• Growth Potential: Investors can attempt to take advantage of growing demand for certain types of metals. 
• Commodity Exposure: Offers exposure to metals without having to buy the physical commodity or trade complicated financial instruments such as CFDs or options. 
• Diversification: Mining stocks may perform differently to other types of stocks. 

Risks of Mining Stocks 

• Cyclical: The mining industry is highly cyclical. When the economy is growing, demand for metals tends to increase, which can result in mining companies thriving. However, they are often one of the first industries to be hit by a downturn. 
• Volatility: The performance of mining stocks depends heavily on the price of the commodities which it produces. As commodity prices tend to be volatile, this volatility may be reflected in the performance of mining companies. 

How to Invest in Mining Companies

If you’re interested in investing in mining stocks, you can follow these steps to get started: 

• Register for an account with a brokerage, such as Admiral Markets, and complete the onboarding process. 
• Log in to your account and open the stock trading platform. 
• Search for the mining company you’re interested in and open the instrument page. 
• Create a new order, enter the number of shares you wish to purchase and send your order to the market. 

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