US copper consumption dips in 2001

For the first time in five years, domestic consumption of copper and copper alloy mill products did not reach a record high.

The 2001 level of domestic use totalled 8.2 billion lbs., a 15.5% decrease from the 2000 mark of 9.6 billion lbs, according to Annual Data 2002 — Copper Supply and Consumption, 1981-2001, published by the Copper Development Association. The report covers industry statistics from mine to end-use market over the past two decades. Exports of mill products in 2001 fell also, down 10% to 797 million lbs. Furthermore, imports, at 1.01 billion lbs., decreased 26.5% from the previous year.

U.S. copper mine production dropped 7.5% to 2.95 billion lbs. from last year’s 3.2 billion.

Copper production at electrowinning operations was up 13.4% over the previous year, at 1.39 billion lbs., whereas smelter production dipped to 2.17 billion lbs., a decline of 5.5%. Total production of refined copper, at 3.96 billion lbs. showed virtually no change from 2000 levels.

Building construction continued to be the largest end-use market for copper products, accounting for clost to half (45.1%) of total U.S. consumption. Electrical and electronic products accounted for 26.3% of total usage; transportation equipment, 9%; industrial machinery and equipment, 9.3%; and consumer and general products, 10.4%.

— The preceding is from an information bulletin published by the New York, N.Y.-based Copper Development Association.