Any mineral from which copper is extracted, including native copper, Cu; chalcocite, Cu
2S; chalcopyrite, CuFeS
2; bornite, Cu
5FeS
4; azurite, Cu
3(CO
3)
2(OH)
2; malachite, Cu
2CO
3(OH)
2; and chrysocolla, CuSiO
3.2H
2O.
Native copper and the copper sulphides are usually found in veins associated with igneous intrusions. Chrysocolla and the carbonates are products of the weathering of copper-bearing rocks. Copper was one of the first metals to be worked, because it occurred in native form and needed little refining. Today the main producers are the USA, Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Zambia, Chile, Peru, Canada, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire).
© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.