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Copper Statistics
(30/5/2005)
Introduction
Copper occurs in various forms. It can occur naturally in its pure state (native copper) but is principally mined as chalcopyrite. Copper is one of the most important and widely used metals of modern society due to its properties of:
• High electrical and heat conductivity;
• Ductile and malleable;
• Resistant to corrosion; and
• Ability to form alloys with other metals
These properties enable copper to be used in a wide range of applications. The largest use of copper is in the electrical industry where copper wire and cable account for about half of the world’s copper production. Other major markets are the motor vehicle and construction sectors. Copper is also an integral part of the expanding information technology sector and is used in the manufacture of computers, mobile phones, fax machines and televisions.
Major Australian copper mining and smelting operations are at Olympic Dam(South Australia) and Mt Isa (Queensland), with smaller projects in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. Australia’s EDR of copper is 32.8 Mt giving it the world’s third largest holding of copper EDR with 7% of the total.
Apart from Olympic Dam and Mt Isa, other significant copper operations are at Northparkes and Cadis-Ridgeway(New South Wales), Golden Grove(Western Australia), Ernest Henry, Osborne and Mt Gordon(Queensland) and Mt Lyell(Tasmania). As a producer, Australia ranks forth, with 10% of world output, after Chile, the United States of America and Indonesia.
Australia’s despatch of copper concentrates and refined copper is estimated to be around $3.5billion in 2008.
Australia is the third largest exporter of copper in the world.
WebsiteStatsMarch08.pdf
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