The Copper Industry is already fortunate in the literature at its disposal. It possesses standard works of reference through the publication of Dr. Peters’ classical volumes on the _Principles of Copper Smelting_, and more recently (during the preparation of the present work) of the volume on the _Practice of Copper Smelting_—works which have done much to raise copper smelting to a science. The industry is being rendered invaluable service by the Technical Societies and Technical Press, whose publications furnish an admirable record of the constant advance in the theory and practice of the art. Use has been made of these sources of information in the present work, and lists of such references are appended to each of the Lectures. Grateful acknowledgment is made to several authors and editors who have given permission for the reproduction of illustrations or for the inclusion of references:—Dr. Peters, Professor Gowland, Mr. Hughes, the Editors of the _Engineering and Mining Journal_, _Mineral Industry_, _Mines and Minerals_, and others. The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Messrs. Chambers Bros., The Traylor Engineering Co., and the Power and Mining Machinery Co. have very kindly provided blocks for several of the illustrations; the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. furnished a set of photographs, whilst Figs. 8, 37, and 76 have been reproduced by permission of the American Institution of Mining Engineers. To the Superintendents and Staffs of the several smelters where opportunities were so freely given for studying modern practice, and particularly to Mr. E. P. Mathewson at Anaconda, Montana, to Mr. J. Parke Channing at the Tennessee Copper Company’s Smelter, and to Mr. W. H. Freeland at Ducktown, Tennessee, the author desires to express his appreciation for much valued information and many other kind services. The frequent references made in this book to the organisation and the methods employed at these works is not only a tribute to the useful information freely imparted, but is also due to the fact that such features are so thoroughly representative of the most advanced practice in copper smelting upon a large scale and of the direction in which all modern work is undoubtedly tending. The author further thanks Professor Turner of Birmingham University for his interest in this volume, Mr. Frank Levy for reading the proofs, and the publishers, Messrs. Charles Griffin & Co., Ltd., for the care taken in the preparation and production of the work. UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, _May_, 1912. CONTENTS. LECTURE I. PAGES History of Copper — Development of the Copper Industry — Progress of Smelting Practice — Price and Cost of Production of Copper — Copper Statistics, 1–17