Copper as a Valuable Resource Essay examples -- Essays Papers

Copper as a Valuable Resource Introduction: Copper is a valuable resource whose intricate steps from initially a raw product to ultimately the final product may be traced. The life of copper can be followed from its extraction, processing, and disposal. All of these steps, including the wastes produced, have an impact on human life and the environment. The developments of resources, such as copper, have helped change history. The environmental impacts of these changes may also be felt. Thus, it is important to understand the in’s and out’s of the process. By doing this, it is possible to see what resources and what waste products come out of this resource. Only then, can proper methods be taken to manage this resource properly. Resource Source: Copper is an important mineral resource used in many different areas. Its properties of high ductility, malleability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as its resistance to corrosion, make copper very useful as a major industrial metal (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/copper). Copper can be refined from metal ores or scrap copper so it can be used as a powder in automotive, aerospace, electrical equipment, in –fouling compounds, and various chemicals and medical processes. Compounds of copper can be found in fungicides, wood preservatives, copper plating, pigments, electronic applications, and specialized chemicals. It can be produced either as a primary product or as a co-product of gold, lead, zinc, or silver (http://nuclear.hazard.uiuc.edu/packets/primmetals/chapter5.htm). Following after steel and aluminum, copper is ranked third in world metal consumption. In 1990, the major copper-consuming nations we... .../how/howdo3.htm). Introduction to the Hydrometallurgical Process. Retrieved (1/29/02), (http://teach.eac.cc.az.us/pmcbride/HTML%20Presentation%20folder). Mining Technology-WMC Copper- Uranium Mine- Olympic Dam- South Australia. Retrieved 2/11/02 from the World Wide Web: http://www.mining-technology. Com/projects/Olympic/. National Slag Association: Iron and Steel Slag Uses. Retrieved 3/5/02 from the World Wide Web: http://www.nationalslagassoc.org/uses.html. Newly Mined Copper: Why Do We Need It? Retrieved 3/5/02 from the World Wide Web: http://innovations.copper.org/199810/virgincopper.html. Production, Import, Use, and Disposal. Retrieved 3/5/02 from the World Wide Web: http://www.astdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp132-c4.pdf. TVA: Copper Basin Reclamation. Retrieved 2/11/02 from the World Wide Web: http://www.tva.gov/environment/land/coppper.htm.