An Overview Of The Copper Mineral

Copper, noted by the chemical formula Cu, is a non silicate native element, meaning it is a mineral composed of one single element. Copper is very unique. It is the only mineral that is truly copper in color, it is the second most electrically conductive metal, and is very ductile- allowing wires to be made from it. It has no cleavage as its crystalline structure is isometric, meaning each plane within the mineral is equal in length and meets at 90 degree angles. Found naturally, it rarely takes a crystal shape but rather distorted masses. Native Copper typically fills fractures and veins made by the heat from magma deep within the Earth.However, it is more often found in combination with other elements in smaller concentration, creating brass (copper and zinc) and bronze alloys (copper and tin). This combination of copper with other elements makes it much harder, and is the namesake for the Bronze Age where bronze alloy was for coins, weaponry and ornamental pieces. In the modern era, we have much more use for pure copper rather than the alloys and ores it is commonly found as.

To remove all the clay and dirt, copper ore is first mined and then crushed into many little pieces, these pieces are mixed with chemicals that coat the copper particles, in turn causing it to cling to air bubbles injected into the mixture that rise to the top. The resulting substance is then smelted, refined and turned into whatever is necessary, be it ingots, rods or etc. Copper can be found in great abundance on every continent, most notable are the mines of Chile, producing 5.7 million tons a year. In view of this, Copper is incredibly common, a few of its many uses are in building construction, cellphones and cars. Copper in the modern era has only increased in value, becoming a great economic resources for plenty of nations. For example, the U.S. makes ~$9 billion dollars annually from ~1.2 million tons mined. Because it is able to be recycled endlessly without losing properties and is much cheaper than gold, silver or other metals it is a more feasible element to work with. As the global stage develops more people have a dependency on copper, the average person utilizing 3/4 of a ton in their lifetime, it isn’t hard to imagine the economic stronghold Copper has as a very basic resource.