For some 5 millennia the only metal, copper was known to man, and therefore has all the possible applications of metal. It was 1 Metal mined and manufactured by man and has a great importance to older days because of its great availability. It was also suitable for creating copper-metal weapons, tools, art objects and jewelry.

The wide use and applications of copper metal over the years after its discovery are well documented. Today you can see, this versatile metal objects, such asfamiliar, such as coins in his pocket, the Statue of Liberty and sanitary products in more than 80% of all households in the United States.

The metal is of inestimable value to humanity in a broad range of applications ranging from the production of alloys for power transmission, the micro-electronics. Each of the thousands of applications of the metal based on a combination of items to ensure material that is perfect for the purpose. Good thermal and electrical conductivity associated with forceDuctility and excellent corrosion resistance, some of the characteristics of this metal, the copper a precious metal for a variety of applications.

The metal is found generally as the multivalent cations, Cu (II), and less than the monovalent, Cu (I).



Production of copper

Over two hundred years, the United Kingdom was an important source of copper for the world, and there were mines in Wales and Cornwall. These mines are now closed and now the largest copper mines areSituation in Chile and North America, producing several thousand tonnes of copper per year. The most important ores of copper are:

Chalcopyrite




Bornite




Malachite.




These ores are extracted either with traditional mining techniques or by leaching. The pure metal is then retrieved with the physical and chemical processes.

Recycling

Copper is very well suited to recycling and can be melted again and again without loss ofProperties. For example, old copper plumbing pipe fittings, pipes and radiators important sources of recycled copper. All these products can be melted down and made into new products. In the future, a small amount of copper in the cell phone will get its worth.

Did you know that copper

Is found everywhere in the crust of the earth.




Is of crucial importance for the people. Adults need 2-3 mg daily in their diet.




Is crucial for the metabolism of allliving organisms.




Provides superior corrosion resistance, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.




Good formability.




Is environmentally friendly and recyclable. More than 80% copper is mined each still in use.




Has been extensively used in tools and jewelry from over 6,000 years ago.




When alloyed with zinc, brass produced.




When alloyed with tin produces bronze.