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Copper

Copper — The Metal of Electrification Copper Cu, atomic number 29 has been used by humans for over 10,000 years, but its importance has never been greater. As the most conductive common metal after silver, copper is the backbone of electrical systems — and the clean energy transition requires vastly more of it. Why Copper Is Critical - EVs use 3–4× more copper than conventional vehicles approximately 83 kg per EV vs. 23 kg for an internal combustion engine vehicle . - Wind turbines contain 4–15 tonnes of copper each, depending on size. - Solar installations use approximately 5 tonnes of copper per MW of capacity. - Electrical grid expansion to support renewables requires enormous quantities of copper wiring and transformers. The IEA estimates that copper demand from clean energy technologies will nearly triple by 2040. Deposit Types 1. Porphyry copper deposits The most important source of copper globally, porphyry deposits form in subduction zone settings where magmatic-hydrothermal fluids deposit copper sulfide minerals chalcopyrite, bornite in and around intermediate to felsic intrusions. They are typically large-tonnage, low-grade 0.3–1.0% Cu deposits. Major examples include: - Escondida, Chile — the world's largest copper mine - Highland Valley, British Columbia — Canada's largest copper mine - Bingham Canyon, Utah — one of the oldest and deepest open-pit mines 2. Sediment-hosted stratiform deposits Copper deposited in sedimentary basins by basin-scale fluid flow. The Central African Copperbelt and Poland's Kupferschiefer are key examples. 3. Volcanogenic massive sulfide VMS deposits Formed on the seafloor at hydrothermal vents. These polymetallic deposits contain copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver. Canada's Flin Flon and Noranda mining camps are historic VMS districts. 4. Supergene enrichment Near-surface weathering of porphyry deposits can create a supergene enrichment zone where secondary copper minerals chalcocite, covellite concentrate copper grades to 1–5%, making otherwise marginal deposits economically viable. Global Supply Chile and Peru together produce approximately 40% of the world's mined copper. Canada, while not a top-three producer, hosts significant porphyry deposits in British Columbia and VMS deposits across the Canadian Shield.