U.S. copper usage dipped slightly to 7,461 million pounds in 2006, a 2.6% decrease from 2005’s 7,660 million pounds. Exports of mill products in 2006 rose for the fourth year in a row, up 2.0% to 920 million pounds. Imports, at 1,238 million pounds, were up 5.9% from 2005.

U.S. copper mine production increased by 5.1% to 2,642 million pounds from the 2005 level of 2,514 million pounds, according to "Annual Data 2007 – Copper Supply and Consumption, 1986-2006," published this month by the Copper Development Association Inc.

Electrowon copper production was down 4.6% at 1,168 million pounds, and smelter production at 1,104 million pounds declined 4.3%. Total production of refined copper at 2,756 million pounds dipped 0.4% from 2005 levels, and consumption of refined copper at 4,690 million pounds was down 6.4%. The direct consumption of scrap was increased by 2.4% at 2,078 million pounds.

Building construction (3,946 million pounds) continued to be the largest end-use market for copper products, accounting for half, 50.6%, of total U.S. usage. Electrical and electronic products (1,500 million pounds) accounted for 19.3% of total usage; transportation equipment (814 million pounds), 10.5%; consumer and general products (829 million pounds), 10.7%; and industrial machinery and equipment (691 million pounds), 8.9%.