|
|
|
Copper
Copper is a mineral. As a mineral, natural copper, also
called native copper, is found only in small quantities throughout
the world, but there are a few areas that are rich in findings.
Most copper in nature is found in minerals associated with sulfur,
or in the oxidized products of these minerals.
The copper ores are far more abundant than native copper and
are therefore the main source of copper nowadays. Copper may
be found in large deposits, relatively close to the surface,
and amenable to relatively low cost bulk mining methods.
The combination of its physical properties (copper is malleable,
resistant, conductive and ductile), abundance, beauty, and low
cost make it a valuable commodity.
Copper is used extensively, in products such as electric cables
and wires, switches, plumbing, in heat-exchanging devices such
as refrigerator and air-conditioner coils, in roofing and building
construction, in chemical, pharmaceutical and electrical machinery
(such as motors, electromagnets, generators and communications
devices), in alloys (brass, bronze, gunmetal, Monel metal, German
silver and a new alloy with 3% beryllium that is particularly
vibration resistant), alloy castings, electroplated protective
coatings and undercoats for nickel, chromium, zinc, etc..
Powdered copper is sometimes used as a pigment in paints. Compounds
of copper are used as mordants (fixatives) in dyeing and in
electroplating.
Copper has been fashioned into ornamental objects and making
copper ustensils. Coins have been made of copper throughout
history.
Copper is also used in pigments, insecticides, and fungicides,
although it has of lately been largely replaced by synthetic
chemicals.
Link: ECI-The
The European Copper Institute
World Mine Production 2001 to 2003
tonnes
| |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
| Finland |
11.600 |
14.400 |
14.900 |
| Portugal |
82.900 |
77.200 |
77.500 |
| Sweden |
74,300 |
72,100 |
90.900 |
| Spain |
9.700 |
- |
- |
| EU 15 |
178.500 |
163.700 |
183.300 |
| Bulgaria |
80.200 |
84.100 |
69.400 |
| Cyprus |
5.200 |
3.600 |
2.500 |
| Poland |
474.000 |
502.800 |
458.400 |
| Romania |
19.200 |
19.600 |
21.300 |
| Total
Candidate Countries |
578.600 |
610.100 |
551.600 |
| EU
17 |
757.100 |
773.800 |
734.900 |
| Africa |
523.000 |
475.500 |
490.100 |
| Asia |
2.653.300 |
2.713.000 |
2.593.200 |
| America |
8.029.300 |
7.732.500 |
8.000.400 |
| Oceania |
1.099.800 |
1.091.300 |
1.049.200 |
| Other |
668.401 |
754.500 |
724.000 |
| World Total |
13.728.800 |
13.540.800 |
13.591.900 |
| Note: |
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
| Turkey (is included in "Asia") |
74.700
|
74.700
|
74.700
|
Source: World Metal Statistics, February 2004
Other countries
| |
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
| Armenia |
16.800
|
16.300
|
18.300
|
| Georgia |
11.800
|
13.000
|
14.700
|
| Macedonia |
6.800
|
5.600
|
700
|
| Russia |
600.000
|
685.000
|
665.100
|
| Yugoslavia |
31.000
|
34.600
|
25.200
|
| Total other countries |
668.401
|
754.500
|
724.000
|
| |
2003 in Tonnes
|
|
|
| America |
8.000.400
|
|
|
| Asia |
2.595.700
|
|
|
| Oceania |
1.049.200
|
|
|
| Africa |
490.100
|
|
|
| Other countries in Europe |
724.000
|
% World Production
|
% European Production
|
| Finland |
14.900
|
0,11
|
2,03
|
| Portugal |
77.500
|
0,97
|
10,55
|
| Sweden |
90.900
|
0,67
|
12,37
|
| Bulgaria |
69.400
|
0,51
|
9,44
|
| Cyprus |
2.500
|
0,02
|
0,34
|
| Romania |
21.300
|
0,16
|
2,90
|
| Poland |
458.400
|
3,37
|
62,38
|
| Total EU 27 |
734.900
|
5,41
|
100
|
| World
Total |
13.591.900
|
|
|
Source: World Metal Statistics, February 2004
|
|
|
