Kopparhalten

Kopparhalten is the amount or concentration of copper in a material. It is typically expressed as a mass fraction, such as percent copper by weight (Cu wt%), or as concentration units such as grams of copper per tonne (g/t) in solids; in liquids it is often given as milligrams per liter (mg/L). The term is used in mining, metallurgy, environmental science, and materials testing to quantify how much copper a material contains.

In mining and ore processing, kopparhalten is synonymous with ore grade. It indicates economic viability and processing routes. Ore grades normally range from fractions of a percent to several percent copper; drill samples report copper as Cu (%) or g/t. The copper content also influences flotation, smelting, and refining steps.

In metallurgy, kopparhalten describes copper content in alloys and products. High-purity copper used in electrical applications may exceed 99.9% Cu, while alloys such as brass (copper-zinc) and bronze (copper-tin) contain lower copper fractions and other elements that modify properties.

Analytical methods include sampling and homogenization, followed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), or inductively coupled plasma techniques (ICP-OES or ICP-MS). For ore assays, fire assay is common.

In environmental and geological contexts, kopparhalten is used to assess contamination, soil or sediment copper content, and groundwater copper levels, guiding regulatory compliance and remediation decisions.