Domestic demand for refined copper declined in 1995, following 3 years of exceptional growth. Domestic copper companies continued to look toward South American investments to increase their capacity and lower their average production costs. Three domestic companies continued to invest in Peruvian properties acquired in 1994, and one company acquired the rights to develop the El Abre project in Chile. Aluminum substitutes for copper in various products, such as electrical equipment, automobile radiators, and refrigerator tubing. Titanium and steel are used in heat exchangers, and steel is used for artillery shell casings.
Optical fiber substitutes for copper in some telecommunications applications.
Plastics also substitute for copper in water pipe, plumbing fixtures, and many structural applications. E Net exporter. Estimated after Copper Development Association, 1994.