Pyrometallurgy, or smelting, usually used in the smelting process of copper ore with sulfide and iron sulfide minerals. The concentrate is dried and fed into a furnace. The minerals are partially oxidized and melted, resulting in segregated layers.
Matte coating refers to a mixture of the iron sulfide-copper sinks to the bottom. The slag, which refers to the remaining impurities, floats on top of the matte. The slag is discarded on site or sold as railroad ballast and sand blasting grit. Sulfur dioxide gases are also collected and made into sulfuric acid for use in hydrometallurgical leaching (discussed below) or sold off-site.
Step By Step Copper Smelting Process In Palabora Mines South Africa
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