Copper is a metal that is used for many purposes. It is mined from the earth using various methods. Though the amount of copper in the Earth's crust is very large, if the mining of copper continues, it will eventually run out.

Question

Students listed methods to help conserve the world's copper supply. Which method might actually increase copper mining instead?
Responses
A a plan to collect copper bound for landfills and recycling it insteada plan to collect copper bound for landfills and recycling it instead
B the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copperthe development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper
C development of a material that could serve as a substitute for copper wiringdevelopment of a material that could serve as a substitute for copper wiring
D the use of other metals to replace the copper normally found in electric motors

Answer 1

The method that might actually increase copper mining instead is:

B) the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper.

If mining copper becomes cheaper and more efficient, it could lead to an increase in copper production, potentially overshadowing conservation efforts. The other options (A, C, and D) focus on recycling or finding alternatives to copper, which would generally help in conserving the existing supply.