Mineral Spotlight
Copper
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Used In:
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Wires
Almost every type of electronic device
Hybrid vehicles
Solar panels
Wind turbines
Plumbing
Roofing
Currency
Alloyed with tin to make brass
Alloyed with zinc to make bronze
Where do we mine it?
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In the US: Arizona, Nevada, Montana,
Utah, Alaska, New Mexico
Around the world: Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Mexico, Russia, Peru, and Indonesia
Why does it work?
Copper is a good conductor of electricity and has the
physical properties of being malleable and ductile.
Malleable means it can be hammered and molded into
shapes; ductile means it can be drawn into wire.
Why is it important?
Modern life is heavily dependent on copper. It has
been said that the amount of copper a society
consumes is a direct indicator of the technological
advancement of that society.
Fun facts:
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The first historical record of the use of copper dates back to 3900 B.C., during the Egyptian Empire.
The Statue of Liberty is made out of copper. The green “patina” color is caused by the copper
oxidizing.
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