Copper, Iron, Tin, Gold and Silver Mining
Throughout the ages, mankind has made use of the natural resources found in the Earth for its own advancement. One of these resources is metal, of which there are several types, each with its own unique properties. In the earlier days of human history, the most important type of metal was copper, which was used to make tools and weapons. With the advent of the Bronze Age, it was joined by tin, which helped create the bronze alloy. Both of these metals were also used in trade and commerce, often as a form of money.
Iron was then discovered, and it helped usher in the Iron Age. As it was harder to find and more difficult to work with than copper and tin, it was considered to be a more precious metal. Thus, it became a valuable commodity and was used in a myriad of ways, from making tools and weapons to being used as currency.
Gold and silver mining was also undertaken in the earlier days, but these precious metals were mainly used for ornamental purposes. They also had a role in trade and barter, with gold and silver often being used as forms of money. Their intrinsic value and rarity made them highly sought after.
Today, copper, iron, tin, gold and silver are still mined in varying degrees, but advances in technology have enabled us to utilize all of these metals for far more than what we used to do in the past. Copper is the most widely used metal in the world and is used for everything from electronics to plumbing. Iron is still used today, primarily to fortify structures such as bridges and buildings. Tin is used in metal production and coatings, while gold and silver are mainly used in jewelry and commercial transactions.
In conclusion, copper, iron, tin, gold and silver have been important to mankind since the very beginning of history. As metal was and still is a valuable commodity, it was mined extensively during earlier times. Each of the metals had a different purpose - the most common being the only metal used in tools and weapons, while others were mainly used for ornamental purposes. Today, these metals are still mined and used, although they are now used in a variety of more complex applications.
