Copper, silver rise on confidence about growth Jan 17 05:06 PM US/Eastern Copper and silver prices are surging on confidence that the U.S. economy will continue growing. Copper is used as a raw material to make everything from housing materials to new television sets. Copper often jumps when traders think global demand is rising. Silver is also used as a raw material to make consumers goods like electronic devices. Optimism about the economy sent stocks higher Tuesday, with the Dow Jones industrial average up nearly 1 percent in late afternoon trading. Traders were encouraged by news that debt auctions by Spain and Greece drew solid interest from investors. That eased worries that a financial crisis in Europe could slow global growth. Silver for March delivery rose 61.3 cents to $30.135 an ounce and March copper gained 9.25 cents to $3.7295 per pound.