A method of recovering non-ferrous metals from their sulphide ores

摘要

A method of recovering non-ferrous metals from their ores comprises introducing the ore into a molten sulphide carrier that is forcibly circulated through an extraction circuit (11), including an ore disposer (10) and an oxidiser (15) contacting the molten carrier containing the dissolved or melted ore with oxygen in the oxidiser (15) to oxidise at least part of the ore or carrier, recovering heat thereby generated by the molten carrier, and transmitting the heat by means of the carrier to endothermic sites in the circuit.