VCS Mining
Mining Fun Facts
Gold and copper were the first metals to be discovered by man, around 5000BC, and together with silver these three elements are found in a metallic state in the earth's crust. Gold and copper are the only two non-white colored metals.
Twenty-Four-Karat Gold is not pure gold since there is a small amount of copper in it. Absolutely pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with the hands.
All elements have an atomic number which represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom and determines the chemical properties of an element and its place in the periodic table.; gold is 79, and copper is 29. The lowest number is hydrogen at number 1 and the highest is Ununoctium at 118.
The chemical symbol for gold is Au, from the Latin aurum, which means 'shining dawn'. Aurora was the Roman goddess of dawn which links to the warm, yellow color of gold. The word gold comes from the Old English word gelo, meaning yellow.
Gold will not oxidize, rust, tarnish, corrode, decay, or deteriorate. The purity of gold is measured in Carats or Karats. A Carat was originally a unit of weight based on the carob bean, used by ancient merchants in the Middle East.
The chemical symbol for copper is Cu, and comes from the Latin word Cuprum, meaning the island of Cyprus.
Copper does not corrode, rust or damage easily.
Archeologists have unearthed copper drainpipes from as far back as 3,500 BC, that are still in good condition.
One of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, found in a cave in Israel, is made of copper. This unique scroll does not contain religious writings, but rather the clues to an undiscovered treasure of gold and silver.
Metals are measured and sold in metric tons, or pounds. One metric ton is equal to one thousand kilograms or or 2,204 pounds.
