RECOVERY OF LEAD, COPPER AND OTHER VALUABLE METALS FROM LEAD-COPPER-SULPHUR CHARGES

摘要

Lead-copper-sulphur charges (e.g., ores and concentrates) containing at least one of the elements Fe, Ag, Bi, Zn and Sn are treated pyrometallurgically to recover their metal values by a process comprising the steps of (a) smelting the charge to produce a slag phase containing at least about 10% Pb, a copper matte phase containing less than about 65% Cu, and a lead bullion phase; (b) separating the slag, matte and bullion phases formed in step (a); (c) reducing the molten slag separated in step (b) to decrease the lead content thereof to less than about 2% and form thereby a lead bullion phase; and (d) separating the slag and bullion phases formed in step (c). According to the process of the invention, the copper matte phase formed in step (a) is substantially free of iron; most of the silver is collected in step (a) in the copper matte and lead bullion phases; most of the bismuth is collected in the bullion phase of step (a); most of the iron, zinc, and tin are collected in the slag phase formed in step (a); the lead bullion phase formed in step (c) is substantially free of silver and bismuth; the slag phase formed in step (c) is substantially free of zinc and tin, and most of the zinc is contained in fly ashes.