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Copper availability--domestic. A minerals availability system appraisal.

Rosenkranz RD; Davidoff RL; Lemons JF Jr.

Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 8809, 1979 Jan; :1-31

10008048

The Bureau of Mines evaluated the potential supply of primary copper from domestic mines and deposits and found that increases in copper price will be required in order for many domestic deposits to continue production. A tonnage-price relationship was developed indicating the quantity of copper that could be produced economically from known deposits at various copper prices and at various rates of return on the required capital investment. Costs of production are based on estimated capital and operating costs for mining, concentrating, transporting, smelting, and refining. Direct and indirect operating costs, recovery of investment, and return on investment have been included in the smelting and refining costs. Capital and operating costs are calculated in January 1978 dollars, and byproduct credits are based on January 1978 prices. Known domestic copper mines and deposits contain nearly 92 million metric tons of copper in about 14 billion metric tons of demonstrated mineralized material. These tonnages represent the current domestic copper reserve base. Approximately 74 million metric tons of copper are recoverable from the reserve base using existing technology. Of this quantity, slightly more than 50 million metric tons are economically recoverable assuming a price of $1.00 Per pound of copper, credit for the recovery of byproducts, and a 15-percent rate of return on capital investment.

19790101

IH; Information Circular

1979

PB80-140940

A04

IC-8809

MAFO

Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 8809

CO