Copper Plays a Critical Role in Our Industrial World

When we celebrate Manufacturing Day tomorrow, we recognize the manufacturing sector’s dependence on a reliable and affordable supply chain of minerals, and in doing so, we are putting a spotlight on the minerals that fuel the manufacturing sector.

In particular, copper, a highly desired mineral, is the third-most U.S. consumed mineral after iron and aluminum and is one of the most important minerals in today’s industrial world. Copper is used in a variety of manufacturing processes. As demonstrated in our new infographic below, copper is an incredibly versatile mineral and its properties – high flexibility, conformity, thermal & electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion – make it critical to our domestic manufacturing sector.

Moreover, copper is a major economic driver and a job creator in the U.S. In 2013 alone, copper was produced in five states, valued at $9 billion and supported nearly 50,000 direct and indirect U.S. jobs.  Despite its economic contributions and its impact on America’s manufacturing sector, copper production has slowed, in large part due to a redundant and duplicative minerals permitting process.

A more efficient U.S. permitting process would help facilitate the production of copper in the U.S. and support the industries that rely on this mineral, from construction and high technology to advanced energy and defense.

For more information on the role minerals play in our everyday lives, see our toolkit here.