Copper is the eighth most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. It occurs in at least 160 minerals and is one of the few metals that occur naturally in commercially workable quantities.

Since the beginning of history, copper has played an important part in human development. Ancient civilizations made crude weapons and tools from copper and later civilizations developed this knowledge to hammer copper into sheets to make ornaments, household utensils, tools and water pipes.

Today copper appears everywhere in our everyday lives. It is hidden away in many objects that we use in our homes and offices on a daily basis like telephones, computers, radios, TVs and motor vehicles.

One of the reasons copper is so important is that it can be made into alloys. That means it can be combined with other metals to make new alloys, like brass and bronze. These are harder, stronger and more corrosion resistant than pure copper.



Uses for Copper

Electrical conductor: Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. For the past 50 years about half the world’s copper consumption has been used for this purpose. It is used in electric generators and motors, lighting fixtures and wiring, radio and TV sets, computers and almost everything electrical.

Heat conductor: Because of copper’s ability to conduct heat it is used for motor vehicle radiators, air conditioners and home heating systems.

Industry: Copper’s corrosion resistance and ease with which it can bejjjoinedhave madee copper the choice fooor plumbing and piping systems, automotive fuel lines, sea water desalination plants and hydraulic systems. It is also used in the manufacture of motor vehicles, aircraft, coins, scientific instruments and as a trace element in fertilizer.