COPPER
Copper is a
chemical element with the symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic
number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high
thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkish-orange color
A new way of extracting copper
MIT researchers have identified the proper temperature and chemical mixture to selectively separate pure copper and other metallic trace elements from sulfur-based minerals using molten electrolysis. This one-step, environmentally friendly process simplifies metal production and eliminates the toxic byproducts such as sulfur dioxide.
Postdoc Sulata K. Sahu and PhD student Brian J. Chmielowiec ’12
decomposed sulfur-rich minerals into pure sulfur and extracted three
different metals at very high purity: copper, molybdenum, and rhenium.
They also quantified the amount of energy needed to run the extraction
process.
Copper (Cu), chemical element, a reddish, extremely ductile metal of Group 11 (Ib) of the periodic table that is an unusually good conductor of electricity and heat. Copper is found in the free metallic state in nature. This native copper was first used (c. 8000 bce) as a substitute for stone by Neolithic (New Stone Age) humans. Metallurgy dawned in Mesopotamia as copper was cast to shape in molds (c. 4000 bce), was reduced to metal from ores with fire and charcoal, and was intentionally alloyed with tin as bronze (c. 3500 bce). The Roman supply of copper came almost entirely from Cyprus. It was known as aes Cyprium, “metal of Cyprus,” shortened to cyprium and later corrupted to cuprum. See also bronze.
Copper price hits eight-year high on US stimulus hopes
Metal prices rose again on Tuesday with investors weighing prospects for a fast-tracked stimulus package in the US.
Global Copper Market Overview 2020
Copper Market Size
In 2019, the global copper market increased by X% to $X, rising for the fourth consecutive year after four years of decline. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a temperate expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, consumption increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Global consumption peaked in 2019 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Copper Production
In value terms, copper production amounted to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Global production peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.