The following list covers the top 8 diversified resource mining companies around the world. I also included the 9th largest, for comparison’s sake, because it is China’s state-owned Aluminum Corporation and could be expected to grow considerably in the next few years. This list thus does not cover global producers specializing in gold or silver.

BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) – Australia. The world’s largest mining company without question (at least for a few more years, anyway – wait to see what China develops). Created through a merger in 2001, BHP Billiton is based in Melbourne, Australia and London, England. The company has significant worldwide productions in copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, diamonds, coal and manganese. Market Cap: $191.1 Billion. Yield: 2.38%

Vale S. A. (NYSE: VALE) – Brazil. This global resource company is headquartered in Brazil and specializes in mining coal, aluminum, nickel, iron ore, ferro-alloys, potassium, copper and kaolin. Market Cap: $130.3 Billion. Yield: 1.9%

Rio Tinto plc (NYSE: RTP) – Australia. Like BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto is headquartered in Melbourne with secondary offices in London, England. Rio Tinto Group finds and mines metals and minerals on all major continents, with a focus on Australia and North America. The majority of metals processed include copper, aluminum, diamonds, energy products, gold, industrial minerals and iron ore. Market Cap: $86.0 Billion. Yield: 3.00%

AngloAmerican plc (OTC: AAUKY) – UK. Headquartered in London, England, this company also maintains offices in Australia and Brazil. A world leader in platinum and diamond mining, the company also processes and produces iron ore, copper, ferrous metals, base metals, coal and industrial materials. Market Cap: $45.7 Billion. No dividend.

Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX) – USA. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Freeport is the world’s largest publicly-traded copper company. Production is spread across four continents and is focused on copper, gold and molybdenum. Market Cap: $30.8 Billion. No dividend.

Southern Copper Corp (NYSE: PCU) – Peru. Headquartered in Lima and Arizona (USA). Southern Copper is primarily an integrated copper production play, with significant production of molybdenum, zinc and some precious metals. They are the largest mining corporation in Peru and Mexico. Market Cap: $28.4 Billion. Yield: 1.19%

Teck Resources Ltd. (NYSE: TCK) – Canada’s largest diversified mining and natural resources company. Teck is focused on the production of zinc, coal, gold, energy, copper, molybdenum and specialty metals. Operates in North America, Chile and Peru. Market Cap: $18.8 Billion. No dividend.

Grupo Mexico S.A. de C.V. (OTC: GMBXF) – Mexico and Peru. Focused on copper, zinc, lead, molybdenum and some gold and silver. Market Cap: $16.7 Billion. Does not pay a dividend.

Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH) – This company is owned by CHINALCO, the parent holding company. Aluminum Corp. is the second largest alumimum producer in the world, and also mines bauxite, copper and other rare metals. The aim is to become a major international polymetallic miner. Market Cap: $15.5 Billion. Does not pay a dividend.