Copper consumption in the U.S. was 2.6% higher in the first seven months of 1999, compared with the corresponding period last year.
The U.S., the world’s chief consumer of copper, is expected to use 8.9 billion lbs. in 1999, up from 8.6 billion lbs. in 1998 and 8.5 billion lbs. in 1997. Between 1992 and 1998, consumption grew 30%. Today, the U.S. consumes 24% of the world’s refined copper produciton.
About two-fifths of copper used in the U.S. is consumed by the construction industry, which last year used 3.6 billion lbs. Other heavy consumers in 1998 included the electrical and electronic industries, which used 2.2 billion lbs.; transportation, at 1 billion lbs.; and industrial machinery, at 967 million lbs.
In addition, copper continues to be employed in the production of alloys for use in technological applications, such as connectors and semiconductors, and in the aerospace industry.
Demand for copper is growning in the area of tubes, brass rods and in wiring used in the telecommunications industry.
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