What is an alloy and what are the three major alloys of copper? 8) What is the most abundant and economically significant copper ore? 9) How many copper-bearing minerals have been identified in nature? 10) What country was the leading producer of copper until 2000? 11) What country became the leading producer after 2000? 12) Which country was the leading copper consumer until 2002? __________ Which country became the leading copper consumer after 2002? ______________________