Copper extraction

Copper extraction is the process of obtaining pure copper from its ores, which contain copper minerals mixed with other materials. First, the ore is crushed and then concentrated through methods like flotation, where chemicals help separate copper-containing minerals from waste rock. The concentrated material is then roasted to convert sulfides into oxides, and smelted—heated in a furnace—to produce molten copper called blister copper. Finally, the blister copper undergoes refining through electrolysis, where an electric current purifies it by depositing pure copper onto electrodes. This process transforms raw ore into the high-quality copper used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and industrial applications.