The average copper ore mined in 1900 was 5% copper by weight. Today, the average is .5%. What factors could account for this difference?

1 Answer
Don Mac
Feb 7, 2016

Intensive mining over the past 100 years.

Explanation:

Mining tends to extract the highest grade resources first as they are the most economic. But as higher grade non renewable resources are used up lower grades are available and the price rises so long as demand sprays high. So, the industry goes after lower grade deposits.

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