CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 History Of Copper

Copper is one of the most important metals. Copper is reddish with a bright

metallic lustre. It is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity

(second only to silver in electrical conductivity). Its alloys, brass and bronze, are very

important. Monel and gun metals also contain copper. Apparently the reason that

policemen in the USA are nicknamed "cops" or "coppers" is to do with their uniforms

which used to have copper buttons.

The discovery of copper dates from prehistoric times. There are reports of

copper beads dating back to 9000BC found in Iraq. Methods for refining copper from

its ores were discovered around 5000BC and a 1000 or so years later it was being

used in pottery in North Africa.

1.2 Copper Ores

Copper occurs in three different mineral groups (see table 1). In sulfide

mineral deposits, the copper is linked with sulfur. In carbonate deposits, the copper

occurs with carbon and oxygen. In silicate mineral deposits, the copper is linked with

silicon and oxygen. The latter two groups are also termed oxide ores. Copper is more

easily extracted from the suIfide and carbonate minerals. Copper deposits are

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classified by general geologic setting, including the type of rock in which the copper

deposit formed.

Rocks belong to three main categories: igneous, sedimentary, and

metamorphic. Each category is further subdivided on the basis of distinguishing

characteristics such as mineralogical composition and texture. Igneous rocks

generally form from a molten mass such as lava; sedimentary rocks form by the

accumulation of material transported and deposited by water or wind, from chemical

precipitation, or from the buildup of organic substances; and metamorphic rocks

come from the effect of heat and pressure on other rocks.

Tabel 1. Most Commonly Occuring Coppers Minerals

These deposits are associated with bodies of igneous intrusive rocks with

copper sulfide minerals disseminated in them. Porphyry deposits tend to occur in

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discontinuous belts. The best known is the belt that runs from Canada down through

the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, Central America, and South

America through Peru, Chile, and western Argentina. Another porphyry belt runs

through Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines and on up into China and

parts of Siberia; and a third through southeastern Europe, Iran, and Pakistan. The

grade and size of porphyry deposits varies. Typical deposits in Chile and Peru contain

1.0 to 2.0 percent copper and 500 million to 1 billion tonnes of ore, although the

largest deposits may contain 4 to 5 billion tonnes.

1.3 Properties of Coppers

Copper is one of the basic chemical elements. In its nearly pure state, copper

is a reddish-orange metal. Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (Latin:

cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and

electrical conductivity. Pure copper is rather soft and malleable and a freshly exposed

surface has a pinkish or peachy color. Copper is a shiny, orange colored metal that is

medium in weight, strong and easy to shape.The density of copper is 8.92 g/mL,

which means the metal will sink in water

Its alloys, brass (Cu and Zn) and bronze (Cu and Sn), are very important.

Monel and gun metals also contain copper. Apparently the reason that policemen in

he USA are nicknamed "cops" or "coppers" is to do with their uniforms which used to

have copper buttons.