7″ Copper Ore Slab from Lake Superior Copper District DS1217 For Sale

7″ Copper Ore Slab from Lake Superior Copper District DS1217

7″ Copper Ore Slab from Lake Superior Copper District
Approx. Dimensions: 7×4.5×0.5 inches
Approx. Weight: 333 grams
Locality: Upper Peninsula, Michigan
This large copper ore slab has a high gloss varnish on the front. It includes an acrylic slab stand.

Copper mining in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has a rich history dating back over a century. The Keweenaw Peninsula, particularly the Quincy, Calumet, and Copper Harbor regions, was once home to one of the most significant copper mining districts in the United States. Native Americans were the first to mine copper in the area, extracting it for tools and ceremonial objects. In the mid-19th century, the discovery of vast copper deposits spurred a mining boom, attracting settlers and leading to the establishment of towns like Calumet and Hancock. The copper deposits in Michigan are primarily in the form of native copper, occurring as veins within basaltic lava flows. Chemically, copper is a metal with the atomic number 29 and is known for its reddish-orange coloration. It is highly conductive, ductile, and malleable, making it valuable in electrical wiring, plumbing, and various industrial applications. Michigan’s copper mines played a crucial role in supplying copper for the burgeoning industrialization of the United States and remain an important part of the state’s history and economy.