The extraction, processing and use of copper are environmentally compatible. The central goals of an environmentally sound development are the careful and efficient use of energy and raw material resources.

Usable copper comes from two sources: from primary production through extraction and further treatment of the ore, and from secondary production through direct smelting of new scrap and the recycling of end-of-life products and production residues containing copper.  Raw metal extraction is carried out according to two different processes: Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical extraction.