For around 5 millennia, copper was the only metal known to man, and hence has all the possible metal applications. It was the 1st metal mined and produced by man, and has great significance in older days because of its huge availability. Moreover, copper metal was suitable for crafting weapons, tools, art objects and jewelry.
The wide uses and applications of copper metal over the years of its discovery are well documented. Today, this versatile metal can be seen in objects, as familiar as coins in our pocket, the Statue of Liberty and plumbing products in more than 80 % of all households in the United States.
The metal is invaluable to mankind in a wide array of applications that range from production of alloys to power transmission, to micro-electronics. Each of the thousands of uses of the metal employ a combination of characteristics to help ensure material, which is perfect for the purpose. Good thermal and electrical conductivity combined with strength, ductility and excellent corrosion resistance, are some of properties of this metal that make copper a valuable metal for a range of applications.
The metal is generally found as the multivalent cation, Cu (II), and less frequently as the monovalent ion, Cu (I).
Mining of Copper
About two hundred years ago the UK was an important source of copper for the world and there were mines in Wales and Cornwall. These mines have now closed and today the largest copper mines are located in Chile and North America, which generate several thousands of tonnes of copper every year. The main ores of copper are:
Chalcopyrite
Bornite
Malachite.
These ores are extracted either using traditional mining techniques or through leaching. The pure metal is then retrieved using physical and chemical process.
Recycling
Copper metal is very well suited to recycling and can be remelted again and again with no loss of characteristics. For instance, old copper plumbing taps, pipes, and car radiators are important sources of recycled copper. All these products can be melted down and crafted into new products. In the future, even a tiny amount of copper in the mobile phone will be worth retrieving.
Did you know that copper
Is found everywhere in the Earths' crust.
Is vital to humans. Adults require 2-3 mg in their diet daily.
Is critical to the metabolism of all living organisms.
Provides superior corrosion resistance, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.
Has good formability.
Is environment friendly and recyclable. More than 80% of copper every mined is still in use.
Has been used extensively in tools and jewelry over 6,000 years ago.
When alloyed with zinc, produces brass.
When alloyed with tin, produces bronze.
