Removal of Minor Elements in Copper Smelting

Abstract

Recently, several removal technologies of minor elements in copper smelting have been developed along with the degradation and the diversification of copper concentrates and also for assuring the quality of cathode. This article reviews the current and new elimination technologies of minor elements for copper smelting based on the recently published papers focusing specifically on arsenic, antimony, bismuth, lead and nickel among various impurities. In this article, the removal technologies in copper smelting are classified into five categories; (1) pre-treatment, (2) extraction from matte or copper, (3) dust treatment, (4) anode doping and (5) purification of electrolyte. Vacuum refining which is not established as a current industrial process is also described in this article.