Production and consumption

First traded on LME: 1877
Current specification introduced: April 1986
World production: 19.8 million tonnes per annum (2011)

Copper was one of the first metals to be mined and, with tin, was a fundamental component of the Bronze Age. It is in fact relatively easy to mine and refine and people discovered methods for extracting copper from its ores at least 7,000 years ago.

Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity which makes it invaluable for use in the construction and electrical goods industries. In the construction industry, it is used in the form of cables,wiring, plumbing, heating and ventilation and other building materials. It is also used extensively in the wiring and circuit boards of phones, computers and other electrical goods.

Copper also has excellent anti-microbiological properties which makes it suitable for the control of bacteria. It is also used in the chemical industries for medical and agricultural disease control.