Processes extraction, mining, smelting, refining
In the case of copper, it is worth extracting when there is about 2 kg of copper per 1,000 kg of ore (%). Copper minerals are found in over one hundred varieties, although only a few have been worked for copper on a large scale. The most abundant ores are chalcopyrite and bornite, which contain both copper and iron sulphides. These account for about 80% of the world''s known ores.