Newbie Question: Can you Build a City on top of a Copper/Iron Deposit and still get the resource?

Yes, you should be able to.

Yes you can build on top of a resource.

You will get access to the resource as soon as you get the tech that is normally required to access the resource. So for copper or iron, you need mining, which is no problem since it's a pre-req, but for something like stone or marble, you would need masonry before the bonuses from the resource would apply.

You do not get the bonuses of actually building a mine/quarry/farm/pasture on the resource. So if a mine would normally add +2 shields to an iron spot, by placing your city on it, you would only get the base city food/shields/commerce and not the amount you would get if you improved the tile somewhere other than your city.

Hope that makes sense.

Don't do it for your starting city. The difference in growth will be huge.

It could be a good idea when you're in a hurry to get the resource, though, because in the early game mining/quarries take forever, between 6-8 turns. So say you desperately need that iron resource to build swordsmen because you neighbour is invading you, it could be a great idea.
But other than that, forsaking the production bonus you'd get by mining the tile is a no-no :)

Settling on Stone is the only way to get Pyramids on Deity.

I had the computer recommend settling on an iron resource (I was already connected to another). I was a bit suspicious, but went along with it. Glad to know I didn't lose the resource.