Copper is the eighth most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. It is mined in at least 63 countries. Major producers last year in order were Chile, the USA, Canada, Indonesia, Australia, Russian Federation, Peru, China, Poland, Mexico and Zambia.
Copper was used for jewellery, weapons and tools up to 6,000 years ago. The Egyptians used it for water piping 2,800 years ago. Copper combines strength, ductility, corrosion resistance and beauty. It has the highest conductivity of all commercial metals. It is readily recycled.
Copper-based materials include brass (copper and zinc), bronze (copper and tin), nickel silver (copper, nickel and zinc), phosphor bronze (copper and tin with small amounts of phosphorus) and aluminium bronze (copper and aluminium).
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Copper Today
Copper is used for conducting heat and electricity, roofing, plumbing and piping, timber preservation, coins and scientific instruments. Almost every electrical device has a copper component. The average car contains about 20kg of copper.
Copper is an important trace mineral in human health. Copper sulphate is an effective fungicide. It is impervious to biofouling (accumulation of growths on boats, in pipes etc). Copper is used as a trace element in fertiliser.
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Copper - The Future
Copper's role in industry and society will grow through continuing research and the demands of the 21st century. Its historical advantages will be expanded in many ways including extensive use in automobiles and the construction industry, as well as a wider range of architectural applications.
It will be applied in powder form in new generation super-conductors. Copper is the ideal wrapper for co-axial fibre optic cables.
Advances in medical, biological and agricultural sciences and greater understanding of the role of copper compounds in animal and plant health will boost copper's role in the environmental, health and agricultural industries, and in anti-fouling paints and fungicides.
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