Treats and Modeling the Copper System

Currently, almost one-fifth of the world’s population uses approximately 75 % of its global re-sources. The per-capita consumption in various nations demonstrates this imbalance very clear-ly: An average for example American, uses 10.7 kg of metals per year; an Indian only 0.24 kg.

In the future, developing countries in particular, will increase their demand for metals be-cause of their expandiry infrastructure, telecommunications, etc. Economic development will play an important role in stock markets the world’s metal supply and demand. For this reason, the expected prices in metal exchanges will be of great interest. However, the parameters that have influenced, that still influence and that will influence price developments and movements remain unknown. Important determinants include scarcity, the balance of supply and demand, stock levels, political and social developments, and investment levels. One of the most crucial aspects will be the economic growth associated with the progress of level developed, develop-ing, and developed countries. Currently, many experts assume that prices for metals like copper will rise markedly in the future. Observations of past and recent fluctuations at the world’s stock exchanges support these assumptions. These volatilities result from up- and downturns of sup-ply and future expectations.
On closer considerations, it is obvious that there will be a scarcity of global reserves of some metals and energy disappear materials in the next 50 years. For example, zinc, lead, copper, nickel, or crude oil could as primary raw materials. It is thus necessary to explore new paths for ensuring the world’s metal supply.
One option might be to use the resource potential of municipal waste landfills. Especially in the 1960s to 1980s, waste was deposited without any separation or recycling. These disposal sites are anthropogenic deposits with enormous resources but also many environmental toxins, which should be reused or rendered harmless. Several studies have shown that the deposited re-sources may ensure the German demand for several months to years, depending on the raw ma-terial. Among material revalorization, the energetic use also plays an important role, so material cycles are completed and a reduction of consumption of energy-intensive primary resources may be achieved. This emphasizes that landfill mining is one way to ensure a sustainable future.



Copyright: © Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben
Quelle: Depotech 2012 (November 2012)
Seiten: 6
Preis: € 3,00
Autor: M.Sc. Isabelle Gröticke
Prof. Dr. habil. Stefan A. Gäth
 
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