copper extraction techniques book reviews

A nice introduction on the metallurgy of copper and other metals Smelting is a form of extractive metallurgy; its main use is to produce a metal from its ore. This includes iron extraction (for the production of steel) from iron ore, and copper extraction and other base metals from their ores. Smelting uses heat and a chemical reducing agent, commonly a fuel that is a source of carbon such as coke, or in earlier times charcoal, to change the oxidation state of the metal ore. The carbon or carbon monoxide derived from it removes oxygen from the ore to leave the metal. The carbon is thus oxidized in two stages, producing first carbon monoxide and then carbon dioxide. Copper is vital to modern life, since it is the basic materila for copper cables and a good electrical conductor. Therefore copper is mined extensively and extracted via various methodes. Some of the methodes are discussed in this book.

Copper Mining and Smelting Film

Vintage Copper Mining and Smelting Film is a visually stunning film and gives an overview of the process of mining and smelting copper, using striking footage of big explosions and molten hot metal. Far from bland as one might think a history of metallurgy would be, the massive machinery and white hot pools of liquid metal involved in the American copper smelting process are breathtaking. The first sequence shows how copper is mined from the ground with metal working tools and using dynamite (up to fifteen sticks!), and then transported by rail to the refinery. Afterwards, smelting, which is the process by which ore is melted down in order to extract pure metals, is shown in all its bright orange glory. This film about the history of copper and copper smelting remains interesting, from the mining to the furnaces, because it doesn't get technical but focuses on the great shots of this industry at work. This great metal working video is a wonderful introduction to metallurgy in general, and copper mining in particular.