Present status and issues of non-ferrous extractive metallurgy were described in this short review from resource and environmental points of view. Recent trend of shortage of non-ferrous ores and severe regulations gave several impacts to non-ferrous extractive metallurgical industry, although significant innovations of non-ferrous extractive metallurgical processes have not been done in this decade.
There are three big issues in the society. The first one is how to control iron, sulfur and minor impurities like arsenic. Sulfur is over supplied in the world, then more than 10 millions tons sulfur are stored near oil and natural gas refineries. Therefore, a development of new application of sulfur is still essential.
Usage of slag is also big problem. Since regulations on the usage of slag became severe, we have to change a mind that slag is not a sink of minor impurities but an important by-product containing iron which is major impurity in non-ferrous ores.
Good collaboration of each non-ferrous smelter and refinery will be required to keep them in Japan to treat not major non-ferrous metals but harmful minor elements like arsenic and cadmium. Keeping non-ferrous industry is one of keys to achieve the sustainable development in Japan.
