Copper production and the purity of copper depends on the availability of copper ores and copper ore processing methods. You should have adequate information about copper ores and the relevant processes that transfer copper ore to pure copper metal or alloy as per customers’ requirements.

If you want to pursue a career in the copper ore mining industry, search for mining engineering courses that include relevant subjects in the syllabi. You can also refer to different surveys and statistical reports that provide historical as well as current information on the copper ore industry. If you are a copper ore supplier or a copper ore exporter, you can also join different associations that provide updates about technological developments in the metal ore industry.

Gain valuable copper ore education and training by:

1. Understanding the basics of copper ore mining and extraction processes
2. Reading magazines and journals that provide information on metal ores
3. Compiling and analyzing statistical information about copper ores such as production, consumption and price trends

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of the copper ore mining and copper ore extraction processes

Copper ore prices depend on copper ore mining and copper ore extraction methods. You can learn about the basics of copper ore mining and extraction processes by referring to different online resources such as the website of a copper ore company or the technical center of a mining engineering department.

I recommend: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, a leading copper ore company, provides a detailed flow chart of different processes such as drilling and blasting, crushing and conveying, concentrating, smelting and refining of copper ores. Additionally, Energy Manager Training hosts a document that provides basic information on the copper mining process. You can also read the basics of copper processing at Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Compile statistical information related to the copper ore industry

If you are a copper ore company, you can compile information such as geological surveys, the copper production and consumption rate, copper ore prices and the latest copper ore extraction methods. Information provided by government authorities and associations of copper producing companies is preferable because of its authenticity.

I recommend: Copper Development Association provides important statistical information about the copper industry, such as national annual supply and consumption and global copper mine production. U.S. Geological Survey provides statistics and information on different minerals including copper ore minerals. InfoMine is another resource which provides information on copper mineral properties, copper mining companies and relevant publications.

Subscribe to journals that provide updates on the copper ore industry

You can subscribe to scientific journals and magazines that provide updates such as the results of geological surveys, new extraction methods and geological reviews.

I recommend: Subscribe to The Copper Journal, a monthly publication that discusses key fundamental, technical and economic trends affecting the global copper market. Ore Geology Reviews is another journal that provides comprehensive studies of ore genesis and ore exploration. SME (Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration) publishes Mining Engineering and Minerals and Metallurgical Processing Journal, periodicals that provide updates in the field of mining engineering.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to establish a copper ore company, hire an expert for issues related to compliance and government regulations.

The electrical, air conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing industries all use products fabricated from copper ore minerals, such as copper tubes and pipes for their superior heat conduction and pressure resistance. If you run a business that fabricates copper for sale to industry and building contractors, you need an understanding of copper ore mining and processing to ensure a grasp of copper ore prices, and to ensure you buy the appropriate copper ore grade for your fabrication needs.

Raw copper ore buyers include the following knowledge in making informed decisions about their ore purchases.

1. Understand copper ore extraction, mining and copper ore processing to ensure the right quality and grade of metal.

2. Buy from the right copper ore company for your required copper grade and price.

3. Use scrap copper to reduce environmental impact and raw materials costs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand copper ore mining and grading

Copper ores are divided into sulphide ore and oxide ore. Sulphide ore is floated to the top of a load of crushed mine rock and is immediately ready for electrorefining. The floatation process, or hydrometallurgy, is the most cost effective way to extract copper sulphide from unwanted surrounding rock. The denser ore is leached from the remaining crushed rock with a sulfuric acid solution and a solvent stripping process that produces the raw ore before the solvent is recycled. The more steps in the process, the more expensive the metal produced.

I recommend: Buy copper with 99.95% or greater purity from Midwest Metals. This extra pure copper is needed to fabricate electrical components. Take advantage of Midwest Metal's online quote capability to make price comparison and purchasing easier. Buy copper infiltrant in powder form from ACuPowder International. Infiltrant is copper fused with iron, which fabricates products with greater tensile strength and hardness than iron alone.

Buy copper ore from the right supplier

A copper ore supplier, whether a copper ore importer or a copper ore exporter, deal in various grades of copper whose prices vary. Some provide discounts for recurring and bulk orders, so consolidate your orders and work with just one or two suppliers.

I recommend: Download Weldaloy's "The Secrets to Choosing the Right Nonferrous Forging Supplier" and learn what 15 questions to ask to weed out the bad suppliers and ultimately find the one who has the experience, price, quality and delivery you want. All-Chemie, Ltd. is a global distributor of ultra pure copper and high conductivity, oxygen free granular copper. All-Chemie provides copper powder, sheet, wire, rod, microfoil, foil, shot, ingot and single crystal in grades ranging from 99.99% to 99.99999% pure. Get the full grade range of copper from Belmont Metals, Inc. They supply electrolytic copper at 99.9% purity and commercial grade copper at 99.8% and 99.5% purity.

Use scrap copper instead of mining copper ore whenever possible and sell excess scrap for profit

Scrap metal has already been mined and processed, so negative environmental impacts from mining and process of raw copper ore are lessened when scrap is used rather then just being thrown away in favor of mining more ore. Use scrap for fabrication projects whenever possible to reduce raw materials costs. Sell the scrap you generate and can't use in order to put it back to work for someone else who can use it.

I recommend: Join the online community at MetalPrices.com and keep an eye on scrap copper and raw copper ore market trends and prices. The current price trend tells you when to buy the scrap you need for your projects and when to sell copper ore excess for the best price. Read The Copper Journal, a monthly publication that contains economic forecasts and analysis of market indicators for the global metals markets.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For bulk supplies of copper in forms other than powder, try to find a local distributor to avoid hefty shipping costs, or find copper ore supplier who ships bulk orders for free.

A copper ore company may provide the necessary materials for many different industries. Copper ore prices have risen over the years. Today, reclaimed copper is common due to the expense and environmental concerns involved in copper ore extraction. A copper ore supplier offers copper ore buyers the necessary type of copper for their needs. The copper ore grade, or level of purity, determines its application or use.

Copper ore is an abundant natural resource. Some of the lesser uses of copper ore include currency, healthcare and cookware. Here are some of the most common copper ore applications and uses:

1. You can use copper to make small components of computers and electronics.

2. You can use copper ore to make electrical wiring and transformers.

3. The building construction industry may use copper or copper alloys for many elements of construction.

4. Manufacturers can use copper in some form to make almost every mechanical mode of transportation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about computer and electronic components made from copper ores

Copper ore processing creates a variety of uses and applications from televisions to air conditioners, which use efficient copper components. Computers utilize copper, because it allows components to run cooler and faster than many other metals.

I recommend: Find out about future possibilities of faster computers using modified copper ore at the University of Texas. Visit Mitsubishi Materials, Sakai Plant for information on available electronics components made from copper ore.

Discover how copper ore carries electricity

Copper ore minerals conduct electricity. Copper transformers aid in electrical transmission and distribution. Wiring made from copper carries electricity throughout most homes.

I recommend: At the Copper Development Association, you can learn about the uses for copper electrical transformers and find information about the conductivity of copper. Discover types and uses of copper wiring by visiting Nasco.

Use copper ore in building construction

For everything from decorative architecture to plumbing, copper ore is important to the construction industry. When using copper pipes to transport drinking water, it's important to be aware of the possibility of excess copper leaching into the water, especially if your water is particularly acidic.

I recommend: At Amu Brass, you can discover a variety of copper fittings made from copper ore refined to 99% pure copper. Visit PlumingSupply.com to learn about the safe use of copper plumbing.

Utilize copper ore for transportation applications

Did you know that there are 55 pounds of copper in the average US-made car? Cars, trains, planes and even submarines use parts made from copper ore such as wires, gears and electrical components.

I recommend: Learn about the many uses of copper ore in transportation by visiting European Copper Institute. KME Group has information about copper use in cars.