Copper has been in use for over 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest metals known to mankind. It has been recycled since early times, and unlike many other materials, copper doesn't degrade during the recycling process. It is the best conductor of electricity except for silver, which makes it indispensable in modern technology and infrastructure.

The earliest known copper artifact is a pendant dated to approximately 8700 BC, which was found in northern Iraq. Around 8000 BC, copper began to replace stone as a material for tools and weapons. By 4000 BC, the Egyptians were heating and casting copper into shapes, marking a significant advancement in metalworking technology.

Around 3500 BC, the process of smelting ores was discovered, which introduced the Bronze Age. This was a pivotal moment in human history, as the ability to combine copper with tin to create bronze led to stronger tools, weapons, and structures that transformed civilizations across the globe.

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus was a major source of copper for the Roman Empire. The Romans called the metal "aes Cyprium," meaning "metal of Cyprus." Over time, this name was shortened to "cyprium" and eventually to "coprum" — which is the genesis of the English word "copper."

Today, the energy requirements of recycled copper are 85-90% less than processing virgin copper ore. The known reserves of copper in the United States are approximately 1.6 billion metric tons. Copper production in the U.S. is concentrated in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Montana, with about 99% of domestic copper coming from just 20 mines.