Originally posted by KingFlippyNips:

its called a bed. use it kid. sleep.

Yes, to add to what i said, put down a bed and claim that copper as yours lol.. actually another awesome strategy is to do just that.. Poke a hole on the side of the copper, tunnel in there a bit. put down your bed "Making sure to claim it" put your crafting bench in there and a chest. use the campfires and just mine all night from inside out, or simply sleep as suggested, wake up and have minimal hassles :), while you are in there your rested with a roof over your head while you hollow out the bottom to get your first bits of copper.