MEC is excited to announce our sponsorship of this year’s Copper to the World 2024 conference in Adelaide.
Copper was one of the first metals in human history to be utilised and has been a valued material throughout time from helping ancient civilisations emerge from the Stone Age to playing a vital role in the leading-edge technologies of the present day. It is one of the transitional elements with the symbol Cu and it can be found in its native state or in combination with minerals.
Copper got its name from the Latin word Cuprum, the ancient name for the island of Cyprus where the Romans got much of their copper. It was first used in its native form at least 10,000 years ago but it wasn’t until a few thousand years later when it was alloyed with tin to form bronze, that it really gained momentum as a diverse and practical commodity.
Technological innovation has blessed us with many wonderful, modern gadgets, but have you ever considered what metals and minerals are used to power them?
Take the example of your mobile phone – most people are inseparable from their beloved iPhones these days (guilty as charged) – and these amazing gadgets are virtual gold mines. Well, not quite.
Many important metals and minerals are now used in your mobile phone’s electronics to enable high-speed performance and data, improved video and gaming and a more vivid and detailed screen.