Copper

film that explores the history, properties, and importance of copper in human civilization. Beginning thousands of years ago in the Neolithic valleys of the Middle East, copper replaced flint and bone as the primary material for weapons, tools, and ornaments. The discovery of copper led to the development of metallurgy, and its combination with other metals resulted in alloys like brass and bronze, which were crucial to the rise of early civilizations.

Copper is an element with unique properties, such as excellent electrical and heat conductivity, ductility, malleability, and corrosion resistance. These properties have made it essential to modern life, being used in electrical networks, plumbing systems, and energy technologies like solar collectors.

The film also details the process of mining copper, from finding mineral deposits to extracting and refining the metal. Modern mining focuses on low-grade ores, making the process more complex and environmentally challenging. Open-pit and underground mining methods are used to extract copper from sulfide ores, followed by concentration, smelting, and refining processes to produce pure copper.

Recycling is an essential aspect of copper usage, as nearly one-third of the annual copper consumption comes from recycled scrap. This process is more economical and energy-efficient than producing new copper from low-grade ores.

The film that highlights the significant role copper has played throughout human history, its unique properties, and the ongoing partnership between metal and human ingenuity in shaping our world.

We digitized and uploaded this film from the A/V Geeks 16mm Archive. Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are interested in using it in your project.