Copper Mining in Africa

Summary: Because of its thermal and electrical conductivity, copper is a coveted industrial metal around the world. The history of copper though dates back over 5000 years. Egyptians were particularly fond of the metal, and are credited with discovering bronze, or a mix of copper and tin. Today, Africa is becoming a major center in the modern copper mining industry. South Africa is particularly suitable for mining due to a string of volcanic eruptions some 2 billion years ago. Known as the Palabora Igneous Complex, the area also contains massive deposits of nickel, gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Read more…