Occurrence: - Copper is one of the less reactive metals. It is very stable in air and can be found in the free metallic state in a few areas. The principal source of copper is copper pyrite CuFeS_2(s). It also exist in the combine state as cuprite, Cu₂O, malachite, CaCO₃.Ca(OH)_2, chalcocite, Cu₂S.

The Extraction Process

Copper is extracted by thermal reduction from its ores copper pyrites, CuFeS_2(s) cuprite, Cu₂O and so on.

• The ore is first purified by froth floatation. The purified ore is then burnt in air to form copper (I) sulphide, iron (II) oxide and sulphurdioxide.