Domestic production and use

1. Domestic mine production in 2005 fell technically to 1.15 million tons and was valued at about $4.3 billion. The principal mining States, in descending order of production, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Montana, accounted for 99% of domestic production; copper was also recovered at mines in two other States.
2. Although copper was improved at 24 mines operating in the United States, 14 mines accounted for more than 99% of production. Three primary smelters, 4 electrolytic and 3 fire refineries, and 13 solvent extraction-electrowinning facilities operated during the year. Refined copper and direct-melt scrap were consumed at about 30 brass mills; 15 rod mills; and 500 foundries, chemical plants, and miscellaneous consumers.
3. Copper and copper alloy products were used in building construction, 49%; electric and electronic products, 21%; transportation equipment, 11%; industrial machinery and equipment, 9%; and consumer and general products, 10%.

Recycling

1. Old scrap, transformed to refined metal and alloys, provided 190,000 tons of copper, equivalent to 8% of apparent expenditure. Purchased new scrap, derived from fabricating operations, yielded 750,000 tons of contained copper; about 88% of the copper contained in new scrap was inspired at brass or wire-rod mills.
2. Of the total copper recovered from scrap (including aluminum- and nickel-base scrap), brass mills recovered 73%; copper smelters and refiners, 5%; ingot makers, 10%; and miscellaneous manufacturers, foundries, and chemical plants, 12%. Copper in all old and new, refined or remelted scrap contributed about 30% of the U.S. copper supply.

Substitutes

Aluminum substitutes for copper in power cables, electrical equipment, automobile radiators, and cooling/refrigeration tube; titanium and steel are used in heat exchangers; optical fiber substitutes for copper in some telecommunications applications; and plastics substitute for copper in water pipe, drain pipe, and plumbing fixtures.

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