Extraction and Beneficiation of Ores and Minerals; Volume 4: Copper

Mining Industry Profile: Copper. By the end of 1991, 8 primary and 5 secondary smelters, 10 electrolytic and 6 fire refineries, and 14electrowinning plants were in operation in the United States (U.S. DOI, Bureau of Mines 1993b).In 1991, the consumption of copper and brass materials in the U.S. decreased by 4 percent from 1990 levels.Refined copper was used at approximately 20 wire-rod mills, 41 brass mills, and 750 foundries, chemicalplants, and other manufacturers. The Bureau of Mines estimates that by year end 1992, United States,consumption of copper exceeded 2.1 million tons (U.S. DOI, Bureau of Mines 1993a).Historically, the United States is one of the largest holders of refined copper reserves; it currently holds 16percent of the world's reserves. More than 90 percent of the United States copper reserves are located in thetop five copper-producing States. Copper reserves are defined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as thatpart of the resource base thought to be economically recoverable from operating or developing sites withexisting technology. Copper reserves reported at operating or developing sites are anticipated to be sufficientto meet the projected cumulative demand of nearly 130 million tons of primary copper through the year 2000.In addition, some of the material already identified in the reserve base, once determined to be infeasible tomine, may become feasible with improved technology or higher copper prices.1-5