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Copper in electric cars

What makes our copper blush?

Being honoured as the world’s first responsibly produced


Last updated: 17 August 2020

 

We think copper is cool for so many reasons: it is tough but malleable, 100% recyclable, corrosion-resistant and its antimicrobial properties can even help keep us safe.

In 2020, our Kennecott copper mine in Utah, US, and Oyu Tolgoi, in Mongolia, became the world's first producers to be awarded the – the industry’s independent assurance program – verifying the copper is responsibly produced.

First copper producers verified by Copper Mark: Kennecott and Oyu Tolgoi

That means:

It has been independently verified as responsibly produced

Kennecott and Oyu Tolgoi's copper has been assessed against 32 criteria – based on the – across environment, social and governance categories. These include health and safety, emissions, human rights and community development.

It helps support our customers’ sustainability goals

With a Copper Mark, our customers can be assured our copper meets the highest environmental and social standards – including a transparent and responsible supply chain.

And, in case you needed another reason to love our copper:

Like all the materials we produce, our copper is essential for the future. Copper is the best non-precious conductor of heat and electricity on the planet. Because it can help things work more efficiently, copper will play an important part in the transition to a low-carbon economy. For example, a single 1MW wind turbine uses 3 tonnes of copper. And electric vehicles have a copper intensity 3-4 times higher than traditional vehicles.

And like all the materials we produce, our copper is essential for the future

Copper is the best non-precious conductor of heat and electricity on the planet. Because it can help things work more efficiently, copper will play an important part in the transition to a low-carbon economy. For example, a single 1MW wind turbine uses 3 tonnes of copper. And electric vehicles have a copper intensity 3-4 times higher than traditional vehicles.

It’s enough to make anyone blush.

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Independently verified, responsibly produced

Independent industry stewardship programs help assure our customers of our responsible value chain. Our Kennecott and Oyu Tolgoi copper operations have been awarded the Copper Mark, the copper industry’s independently assessed responsible production program. Kennecott has also been awarded the , an application of the same rigorous framework to molybdenum producers - molybdenum is a copper mining byproduct and a vital material in clean energy technologies and sustainable construction practices. These 2 certifications demonstrate our continued commitment to responsible production as we find better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

Did you know?

Kennecott’s copper:

  • Includes recycled scrap metal, helping reduce waste: In 2018 alone, we recycled more than 2.8 million pounds of copper scrap metal – enough to provide the electrical wiring in 6,400 new homes.
  • Is powered by renewable energy: By retiring its coal-fired power plant in 2019 and purchasing renewable energy certificates instead, Kennecott reduced its annual carbon footprint by around 65%. And in 2019, Kennecott was awarded Clean Air Business Partner of the Year from the Utah Clean Air Partnership for its collaboration in solving air quality challenges.

6,400

Homes wireable with its copper recycled in 2018

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