Copper
Eagle Mine is expected to produce 250 million pounds of copper over its seven year productive life. That’s enough copper to wire approximately 1.2 million 1,500 square foot homes.
The use of copper and its principal alloys, bronze and brass, have played an important role in human progress since the Stone Age, 60 centuries ago. Nearly 5,000 years ago, early Michigan inhabitants used copper and other metals to make tools and utensils vital for survival, such as arrow points, pots and spoons. These tools shaped their culture and fueled technological advances.
There is a good reason why copper has played an important role in human civilization for thousands of years. Copper can be easily shaped, molded, rolled into sheets, or drawn into thin wire. It easily blends with other metals to form useful alloys such as brass and bronze. It does not easily rust, and it’s an excellent conductor of electricity and heat.
Today copper can be found in many of the products that we use everyday including home appliances, vehicle parts and electrical components. In many respects, modern life would not be possible without copper.
