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The journey of copper from mine to makeup brush
METALS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
COPPER
When you’re getting ready for a date, copper is probably not one of the things you’re thinking about. But the metal is found in certain makeup brushes, where it contributes to a more durable and sturdy construction. In fact, copper is used for far more than beauty products. It’s found in everything from power grids, wind turbines, and solar panels to electric vehicles and other technologies essential to our society's development and the green transition. Thanks to its ability to conduct electricity and heat, copper is one of society’s most important metals. Here you can read more about how copper is extracted, refined, and used.
How we find copper
The extraction of copper and other metals always begins with exploration. The work involves finding what are known as mineral deposits — areas in the bedrock with high concentrations of metals and minerals. In order to use resources and infrastructure as efficiently as possible, we often look for new deposits near existing mines. But finding the actual copper deposit is just the beginning of a long process. This is followed by, among other things, test drilling, analyses, and permit reviews. It takes many years before the work of mining the ore deep in the rock can begin.
Mining copper – How is it done?
Copper is extracted from several of our own mines, including Aitik, one of Europe's largest open-pit copper mine. Depending on the nature of the deposit, mining takes place either in open-pit operations above ground or in underground mines several hundred meters down in the rock. Many of our mines use electrification, automation, and remote-controlled technology to make operations safer and more efficient. At certain facilities, operators can control drilling and loading machines remotely using cameras and digital technology. After mining, the ore is transported to a concentrator plant where it is crushed, ground, and processed so that the metal-rich minerals can be separated from the surrounding rock material. The result is a concentrate. But before copper can be used in new products, the material must be refined and processed further, so it’s sent on to a smelter for the next stage in the process.
Copper processing – smelting & recycling
After concentration, the metal-rich material is transported to our smelters in Rönnskär and Harjavalta, where copper and other metals are separated from one another and refined through a multi-stage process. We can then convert the minerals into pure metals to be used in new products and technologies. At Rönnskär, large volumes of electronic material are also recycled. The smelter is a world leader in recycling used electronics and recovers metals such as copper, gold, and silver from end-of-life products. Through recycling, valuable metals can remain in circulation for longer. Like copper, many can be recycled over and over without losing their useful properties. From the smelters, copper then finds its place in the products and technologies that surround us every day.
How copper is used in everyday life
Copper is found in many of the products and systems we use every day. The metal is used in everything from makeup brushes and household products to power grids, wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles. Because copper conducts electricity so efficiently, it is an important part of the technology driving the electrification of society. A conventional passenger car contains around 20 kilograms of copper, while an electric vehicle contains around 70 kilograms. Demand for copper is therefore expected to grow as the climate transition continues. But responsibility for copper production does not end once the metal has been used.
Responsible production
Copper plays a decisive part in sustainable transition. The electrification of vehicles and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power require large amounts of copper. This also means the copper used must be responsibly produced. Our Low-Carbon Copper and Recycled Copper products help our customers, and in turn their customers, to make a positive difference by reducing their carbon footprint.
What happens to the mine afterwards?
When mining comes to an end, the next phase of the mine's lifecycle begins. Reclamation of the mine is planned before operations even start and aims to reduce environmental risks, restore the land, and create value for the future. Since every mining area has its own unique conditions, the measures are tailored to the needs of each location. This can involve strengthening biodiversity, creating new habitats for plants and animals, or making the land suitable for other uses. In this way, our responsibility for the site continues long after the last ore has been mined.
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