Copper is a metallic element and a reddish mineral found naturally in oxidized zones that overlie porphyry copper deposits, in mainly low to intermediate sulphidation hydrothermal veins, filling cavities and pores in mafic rocks such as basalt and sedimentary rocks. that have been in contact with hydrothermal solutions.
As a native element or native copper is rare to find it in large quantities, and it is rarely the primary target of exploration and mining operations.
For this reason, minerals that contain copper, and it is here that copper sulfides play an important role in the exploration of this metal, and in fact copper sulfides such as bornite and chalcopyrite are the minerals that are geological exploration targets for copper extraction.
In this article we will refer to the copper as a native mineral or element, and we will explain its importance and its applications as a processed metal.
Native copper properties
This section is intended to provide basic information on the chemical and physical properties and characteristics of the native copper, in the manner of a mineral token.
| Copper | Characteristics and physical and chemical properties |
|---|---|
| group, class | native element |
| Color | Copper red on a fresh surface, dull brown on a tarnished surface |
| Stripe | copper red metallic |
| shine or luster | Metal |
| diaphanousness | Opaque |
| cleavage | None or does not present |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 to 3 |
| Density or specific weight | 8.9 g/cm3 |
| diagnostic properties | Color, gloss, specific gravity, malleability, ductility. |
| Chemical composition | copper, copper |
| crystalline system | isometric |
| Boiling temperature | 2595°C |
| Atomic weight | 63,546 |
| Electronic configuration | [Ar] 3d104S1 |
| electronegativity | 1.9 |
| Melting point | 1083°C |
| Origin and geological environment | Oxidation zones that overlap porphyry copper. Mainly intermediate and low sulphidation hydrothermal veins. Filling cavities of basalts and sedimentary rocks in contact with hydrothermal fluids. |
| associated rocks | Basalts, sandstones and conglomerates |
| copper-containing minerals | Chalcopyrite, bornite, enargite, tetrahedrite, malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, cuprite, brocanthite. |
| Uses and applications | It conducts electricity and heat; wiring, electrical contacts and circuits; coins, alloys, textile industry (antibacterial clothing), in electronics and is part of electronic devices. |
Properties of copper as a metal
corrosion resistant
The copper It is interesting in the industry because it is resistant to corrosion, therefore it does not rust or deteriorate easily.
This property occurs because a protective film or layer naturally grows around it when exposed to the environment.
In addition, this characteristic means that the useful life of materials that contain copper is preserved and their properties and characteristics are maintained despite the passage of time.
This is one of the qualities for which copper is used in the industry for the production of covers, pipes, bolts and nails and it is always considered that all material made with copper is of excellent quality.
Heat-resistant
Because it has a high melting point that reaches 1083 °C, it is a material that resists fire and when there are fires in homes or industries, this material helps prevent the fire from spreading.
It is an excellent electrical conductor
After silver, copper is the best electrical conductor, that is, it easily allows electricity to flow through this material.
In addition, its exploration and production is cheaper than other electrical conductors, which is why it is one of the favorite materials for making cables, switches, and plugs.
Thus, in low-voltage distribution networks, copper presents properties and characteristics that are advantageous compared to other conductors, such as aluminum, which has a lower electrical resistance index, that is, it easily allows the passage of current.
Excellent thermal conductor
This means that if you heat one end of a piece of copper, the other end will heat up very quickly and will equal the same temperature as the starting end.
This characteristic means that copper is used in the manufacture of kitchen utensils, solar panels, radiators and water heaters.
Furthermore, this property is used in reverse because if it can heat materials it is also capable of cooling them very quickly, making it of more interest in the industry.
it is malleable
This property tells us that the native copper or processed stretches, elongates, and conforms to various shapes with relative ease, indicating that this material is very ductile (deformable), giving it endless more use.
In addition, it is capable of bending and deforming when it is cold, that is, when it is in the form of wire, and it can be alloyed with various minerals, so it can be adapted to different needs.
It is completely recyclable
This characteristic means that the copper found in all types of material, whether alone or mixed, can be recovered and reused, since it is difficult for it to lose its chemical and physical properties over time.
In fact, it is estimated that around 80% of the copper that is currently used has been extracted and used in antiquity, which means that we would have already recovered and recycled 80% of the copper today.
Therefore, its recycling rate or percentage is much higher compared to other metals.
Copper is an effective bactericide
Currently it is known that copper and all the materials that are made with this material are excellent bactericides, that is to say that the bacteria die in contact with this metal.
In addition, the copper metal does not allow the proliferation of various types of bacteria that can cause harm to humans, and as an example we include Escherischa coli (causing diseases such as diarrhea) and cholera.
In 2008, the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, affirming that it benefits public health. With this, they recognize that copper is capable of destroying harmful and potentially deadly bacteria, currently being used in applications in the health, food management, aquaculture, public spaces and other sectors.
It is necessary and contributes to human health
Various everyday foods such as beans, nuts, peanuts, peaches, potatoes, chocolates, and even water have copper.
The mineral native copper is key to human health because it allows the proper functioning of some essential enzymes that are responsible for breaking down food.
For this reason, in adequate doses it favors the proper performance and functioning of the brain, heart, liver and kidneys, in addition, it has been shown to prevent bone diseases.
It is also important in the fetal stage, as it is involved in the optimal development of a baby’s brain and nervous system.
What is the origin and formation of copper?
Copper is disseminated in certain sectors of the earth’s crust and its location is determined by the different geological processes that have occurred in the history of the planet.
The origin of the mineral native copper is linked to the introduction of magma at high temperatures and with great pressure in the earth’s crust.
It has been mentioned that native copper is rare to occur in nature in large quantities and is only related to certain geological processes and environments.
Thus, native copper can be found forming oxidized zones on porphyry copper deposits.
It can also be carried in hydrothermal fluids, and deposited in hydrothermal veins, especially in the context of intermediate and low sulphidation.
In addition, hydrothermal fluids can mobilize copper and cause it to form or fill cavities in volcanic rocks such as basalt and sedimentary rocks such as conglomerates and sandstones.
It is important to know that practically the largest amount of copper that is extracted from nature or crust, is from minerals that contain copper, at this point, it is the sulfides and oxides that are the main objective of exploration.
Benefits and importance of copper
The importance of copper lies because it has found an infinite number of applications, and this is because it has many properties and characteristics.
It has been proven that it is an excellent conductor of electricity, which is why it is currently important for transmitting electricity to our homes.
It is also an excellent conductor of heat, which is why it is used to make cookware, heat sinks, and heat exchangers.
In addition, large amounts of copper are used to make alloys such as brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper, tin, and zinc).
Even the health benefit is indisputable because copper has been known since time immemorial to be a complete bactericide.
In addition, it is completely recyclable so it can be reused in a continuous cycle.
Finally, its contribution to health is indisputable since it is recognized that copper and materials made with copper are excellent bactericides, this means that they kill bacteria that can harm people.
These infinite properties and characteristics that copper has make it essential in daily life and for this reason it is used, in electronics, to transmit electricity, in homes and in construction, and that is why it has been extracted and used since ancient times and will be important for the future.