For mining copper dig around and under the copper deposit. This makes sure you get it all, plus once you've dug down enough it makes it hard for any greydwarfs attracted to actually reach you and the copper deposit above your head acts as shelter. You can set up a temporary campfire and workbench under it for repairs and relaxing. Also after seperating the entire copper deposit from the surrounding dirt, at some point mining it will cause the entire thing to shatter saving you a bunch of work.
I'd advise not being in the Black Forest at night, cold plus increased mobs is not fun.
DO NOT waste copper and tin on bronze armor. It's barely better than troll armor (6pts) and slows you down. Also Bronze is the most labor intensive metal in the game by far, so its better served going towards tools and weapons.
Get a finewood bow after you have a bronze axe. Makes a huge difference in combat. Kite Trolls, collect troll skin, wear troll skin like a serial killer, profit.