Copper is an important mineral and has a multitude of uses. Copper is the world's third most used metal. Iron is the number one used metal and aluminum comes in at number two. Copper is used as an artistic medium as well as being used in the manufacturing of industrial machinery.

Copper is also used in the building of computers. Most Americans do not know that the Statue of Liberty is made of copper. The statue of Liberty was given as a gift from France in honor of the 100 year celebration of the United States‘ Declaration of Independence. The choice for choosing copper for the construction of the statue was suggested by a French architect. The greenish color of the statue is due to the oxidation of the copper.

When IBM decided to utilize copper rather than aluminum in its chips, the price of copper skyrocketed. Copper is an important component in the building of computer chips, circuits. mother boards and various other computer components. Using copper for specialized component reduces the price of the computer and increases computer speed.

Copper is used in commercial and residential construction. Most electrical devices use copper wiring because of its excellent conductivity properties. Copper is used in the Plumbing industry.

Copper was used to make money. The copper penny is a thing of the past Pure copper pennies were only minted from 1793 to 1823. According to the Nuismatic Society, Around 1857, the penny was 95% copper and five percent tin and zinc. When copper increased in value in the early 1980’s the United States switched the core of the penny to zinc and just coated the outer layer with copper.

Copper has so many varied uses in different industries that the price of copper is continuously going up. The price of copper has nearly doubled in the past year to $3.47 per pound.

“This year, copper is like gold, the one-inch copper [pipes] are selling for like $7 a foot, and [plastic] is a dollar,” said Bill George, who's been a plumber in Freeport for 45 years

Because of the increased cost of copper, USA today reported that “thieves are stealing copper pipes from construction sites in New Orleans and across the country. New Orleans police arrested three men and accused them of trying to steal copper pipes and wiring from Park view Elementary School in Gentilly.

An additional news story reported that “Thieves recently stole copper railing from St. Patrick’s Church in the Warehouse District of downtown New Orleans. Authorities in Alabama, New Jersey and Minnesota also report a spike in copper thefts.”

There is such a high demand for copper because the overseas economies are growing. China, India and other Asian countries create more of a demand for raw materials than can be mined. Copper is the material of choice in so many products for the home that the increased demand creates an increase price for the mineral. At the present price of copper how long will it take for someone to try to steal the Statue of Liberty.