The effect of copper content in the matte on the distribution coefficients between the slag and the matte for certain elements in the sulphide copper concentrate smelting process

Abstract

This paper presents the results of investigating the dependence of distribution coefficient L S/MMe for: Cu, Zn, Pb, Sb, As, Ni, Ag, Au and Bi, between the slag and the matte, on the copper content in matte. The research was conducted under industrial conditions of copper concentrate smelting, in the reverberatory furnace in the copper smelter in Bor, Serbia. It was found that with the increase of the copper content in the matte, distribution coefficient between slag and matte for Cu, Zn and Pb increases, for Ag and Se decreases, while for Ni, As and Sb has an insignificant change. Au and Bi are almost entirely concentrated in the matte.