The changing landscape of copper smelting

摘要

This paper highlights technical hurdles that have been overcome and innovative approaches that have advanced copper smelting in recent eyars. These advances have been primarily driven by a continued need to increase productivity. In primary copper production, single line smelters have reached annual processing capacities of over one million tonnes of dry concentrate. process intensity has reached a new dimension and, as a result, vessel integrity has become a major concern. The specific technologies discussed constitute selected examples rather than a comprehensive review. Nevertheless, these examples provide an overview of current trends in copper smelting and highlight research and development approaches that offer particular promise.