Every year, the world demand for copper is about 15 million tonnes. In 2002, the average price for copper was £1000 per tonne. However, the price can go up and down on a daily basis.

Copper has a remarkable combination of properties. It is a good electrical and thermal conductor. It is ductile and it can prevent bacterial growth (see properties).

As with all world resources, the supply of copper from the ground is limited. Ever since copper was first mined, it has been recycled. Today, 40% of the need is met by recycled copper - conserving the earth's resources.

Copper is very well suited to being recycled because it can be re-melted endlessly with no loss of properties. For example, old copper plumbing pipes, taps and car radiators are a major source of recycled copper. They can all be melted down and made into new products. In the future, even the few grammes of copper in your mobile phone will be worth recovering.

In this electronic resource (e-source), we'll look at the ways that we get copper from the ground and from recycling.

1. Introduction
2. Where does it come from?
3. Extracting copper
4. Recycling
5. How much is left?

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