Copper is still an important commodity. Copper is a major industrial
metal because of its properties including high ductility,
malleability, thermal and electrical conductivity, and its resistance to
corrosion. Copper ranks third after iron and aluminum in terms of
quantities used. Electrical uses of copper include power transmission
and generation, building wiring, telecommunication, and electronic
products.
Building construction is the single largest market, followed by
electronics and electronic products, transportation, industrial
machinery, and consumer products. Copper by products from manufacturing
and obsolete copper products are readily recycled and contribute
significantly to the copper supply.
