U.S. Copper Consumption Reaches Record High
July 13, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK - Domestic consumption of copper
and copper alloy mill products reached a record high in 1997 of
8,310 million pounds, a 5.3% increase from the revised 1996 level
of 7,890 million pounds. Exports of mill products in 1997 continued
to grow also, up 11.9% at 766.1 million pounds, versus imports
of 912.8 million pounds, an increase of 12.9% over the previous
year.
U.S. copper mine production rose also to an all-time high of 4,220 million
pounds, according to "Annual Data 1998
- Copper Supply and Consumption, 1977-1997" published recently by the
Copper Development Association Inc. The report covers the industry's vital
statistics from mine to end-use market over the past two decades.
Electrowon copper production was up 1.2% at 1,280 million pounds, while
smelter production at 3,810 million pounds represented an increase of 5.4%.
Total production of refined copper at 5,389 million pounds was 4.4% ahead
of the previous year, and consumption of refined copper at 6,080 million
pounds was up 5.8%. The direct consumption of scrap was up 7.0% at 2,326
million pounds.
Building construction continued to be the largest end use market for copper
products, accounting for more than two-fifths (41.8%) of total U.S. consumption.
Electrical and electronic products accounted for 24.8% of total usage;
transportation equipment, 12.8%; industrial machinery and equipment, 11.5%;
and consumer and general products, 9.1%.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
"
Annual Data 1998 - Copper Supply and Consumption, 1977-1997," is now available
both in print and online. Readers
may obtain copies of this publication for $10.00 each from the Copper Development
Association Inc., 260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or by calling
(800) CDA-DATA.
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The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries in the USA.
