Copper prices have stabilized again in recent weeks. The industrial metal is still trading below the level at the beginning of March, but market watchers see light at the end of the tunnel. The possible use of the metal for the hygienic design of surfaces also gives hope for an end to the copper doldrums. Studies have shown that while certain bacteria and viruses can often survive for days on hard surfaces, the pathogens die as soon as they come into contact with copper.
It is not for nothing that copper is synonymous with health in many historical high cultures. In China it is called "qi", which is a symbol of physical wellbeing. In India people still drink from copper cups. Even during the Industrial Revolution, copper was still found in many households and public buildings in Germany. In the twentieth century, however, it was replaced by plastic and other materials.
Robert Koch Institute: Up to 20,000 dead from hospital germs
A new perspective on health and disease containment could, however, lead to a renaissance of copper. For example, handrails in public transport or doorknobs in public buildings could be covered with copper. The activity against pathogens has been proven and the containment of diseases also makes sense outside the corona pandemic. In 2018, the number of upper respiratory infections among workers climbed by 10.5 percent, according to a study by the AOK health insurance company. Employees still drag themselves to work with the wrong motivation and potentially infect other colleagues. While awareness of Corona contagion may be greater,
In the past, studies in the laboratory and concrete tests in practice have shown that this is the case. For example, in 2015 a study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense showed a positive relationship between the use of copper alloys and falling infection rates in hospitals. Experts point out that although copper is more expensive than aluminum, for example, possible costs for the health system have to be offset. As the Robert Koch Institute reported at the end of 2019, up to 20,000 people die in Germany every year from hospital infections - a number that could possibly be reduced by using copper alloys.
Oroco Resource sits on a copper treasure
The potential use of copper to reduce infections also gives companies in the copper industry hope for new sales markets. Canadian resource company Oroco Resource Corp. (TSX-V: OCO, WKN: A0Q2HB, ISIN: CA6870331007)operates the Santo Toms project in Mexico. RFC Ambrian industry experts believe that Santo Toms is promising and a potential acquisition target. In addition to attractive copper grades, which indicate profitable future production, the analysts also emphasize the advantages of the existing infrastructure consisting of roads, railways, a deep-sea port and energy supply. The project has been explored in the past. The data determined thereby serve the company to control current exploration work and represent a time and cost advantage. Should copper be used again on surfaces in the course of the Corona crisis, Oroco Resource could benefit from this with its promising copper project in Mexico.