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Copper is usually found in nature in association with sulfur. Pure copper metal is generally produced from a multistage process, beginning with the mining and concentrating of low-grade ores containing copper sulfide minerals, and followed by smelting and electrolytic refining to produce a pure copper cathode. An increasing share of copper is produced from acid leaching of oxidized ores. Copper is one of the oldest metals ever used and has been one of the important materials in the development of civilization. Because of its properties, singularly or in combination, of high ductility, malleability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, and its resistance to corrosion, copper has become a major industrial metal, ranking third after iron and aluminum in terms of quantities consumed. Electrical uses of copper, including power transmission and generation, building wiring, telecommunication, and electrical and electronic products, account for about three quarters of total copper use. Building construction is the single largest market, followed by electronics and electronic products, transportation, industrial machinery, and consumer and general products. Copper byproducts from manufacturing and obsolete copper products are readily recycled and contribute significantly to copper supply.
Publications
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Annual Publications
- Copper
PDF Format:
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | - Appendixes
- Copper
PDF Format:
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
XLS Format:
| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | - Archive
| 1932-1993 | - Recycling-Metals
Monthly Publications
- Copper
PDF Format:
2007: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
2006: | Oct | Nov | Dec |
XLS Format:
2007: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
2006: | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Special Publications
- Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Steel Commodity Price Influences
Open-File Report 2007–1257 - Flows of Selected Materials Associated with World Copper Smelting
OFR-2004-1395 - Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in the United States
Data Series 140 - International Mineral Exploration Activities From 1995 Through 2004
Data Series 139 - Metal Prices in the United States through 1998
- Copper (PDF)
- Physical Aspects of Waste Storage from a Hypothetical Open Pit Porphyry Copper Operation
OF-03-143 - Statistical Compendium
- World Copper Smelters (map and table)
Contacts
- USGS Mineral Commodity Specialist
Daniel L. Edelstein
Phone: 703-648-4978
Fax: 703-648-7757
Email: dedelste@usgs.gov
- USGS Mineral Resource Specialist
