copper
<p>Copper is a malleable, stretchable
metallic element of a reddish-brown color.
Copper is referred to as a base metal which is used throughout wiring systems as
well as in plumbing and circuit boards as well. In addition to copper
wire and copper piping, the reddish-orange metal is used in power
generation and transmission, heating and cooling systems, and
telecommunications equipment, ensuring that the metal remains a
crucial aspect of modern industrial life.
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<p>It is the principal alloying metal in some
sterling silver and gold alloys. It may also be used on its own, or
as a constituent of brass, bronze, gilding metal and many other base
metal alloys.</p><p>Copper bars are typically minted to high levels
of purity and come in varying sizes. Typically, small bars are one
ounce in size, but mints also produce copper bullion bars in sizes as
large as 10 pounds.</p>
<p>Investors have the option of buying up bars of
copper or looking at some of the physically-backed ETPs that are
currently on the market in some countries. Moreover, investors also
have the option of buying futures contracts of the metal which are
extremely liquid. There are a number of ETPs that allow investors to
gain exposure to the red metal via futures either in a basket or
exclusively. Lastly, investors have the option of buying any number
of companies that are focused on the mining of the metal or by
looking at an ETF that invests in copper mining companies.
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