Objective To investigate the serum levels and dietary intakes of copper, iron, and zinc among adult residents in Dahongshan copper mine area of Yunnan Province in China. Methods Serum levels of copper, iron, and zinc were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry among 180 subjects collected randomly from Dahongshan mine area, among which 171 samples were valid. Dietary intakes of copper, iron, and zinc of 60adults collected randomly from these 180 subjects were detected by chemical analysis. Results Serum levels of copper, iron, and zinc concentrations of 171 valid samples were (0.90±0.18), (1.25±0.93) , and (0.75±0. 28) mg/L, respectively. Serum copper was negatively correlated with serum iron (r = - 0. 26, P ＜ 0. 001). Serum copper was positively correlated with age (r = 0. 25, P ＜ 0. 001). Females had significantly higher serum copper than males (P=0.011). The dietary intakes of copper, iron, and zinc among these 60 subjects were (1.74±1.09),(16.29±10.73), and (7.56±3.38) mg/d, respectively, in which females had significantly lower dietary intakes than nales (all P ＜ 0. 05). Significant regional differences were observed both in serum levels and dietary intakes of copper, iron, and zinc. Conclusions The average serum levels of copper and iron are normal among adult residents in Dahongshan copper mine area, while the average serum zinc level is low. Dietary intakes of these three minerals do not exceed tolerable upper intake levels, and are low in some subjects.