Abstract: The process for converting a copper sulphide matte to blister copper, is achieved by adding the copper sulphide matte and flux to a suitable agitated slag phase; and injecting, from a discharge tip at the lower end of a top-submerged lance, an oxidizing gas suitable for reacting with the matte to produce blister copper which forms or adds to a continuous blister copper phase below the slag phase. The lance tip is located within the slag phase at a depth enabling the injected gas to agitate the slag phase, and to react with copper sulphide matte dispersed therein, while precluding a substantial proportion of the gas from contacting the continuous blister copper phase.

Abstract: A process for producing iron metal and slag by smelting iron-containing source material, having iron present as oxide and/or a partially metalized state, in a reactor containing a molten bath comprising or having a slag phase, utilises injection of fuel/reductant and oxygen-containing gas into the slag, by at least one top-submerged lance, to generate heating and reducing conditions in at least one reducing region in the bath. The source material is fed to the reactor, together with additional reductant and with flux, at or adjacent to the at least one reducing region, to subject the source material to smelting reduction which generates combustion gases comprising CO and H2. The rates of injection of the oxygen-containing gas and fuel/reductant by said at least one lance are controlled to achieve required, sufficient reducing conditions; and, in the reactor above the bath, the combustion gases generated by the smelting are post-combusted.

Abstract: An industrially realistic process for upgrading of titaniferous materials is disclosed. The process comprises the following steps: (i) a pretreatment which has the effect of rendering silica amenable to leaching under the particular conditions of a subsequent leach, and (ii) an aqueous leach in the presence of an acid, the conditions of which are chosen such that silica which enters solution is not hydrolysed or precipitated as a silicate. The pretreatment step (i) may comprise alkaline leaching, roasting or smelting. The leaching step (ii) may be conducted at low solids densities.

Abstract: A process for upgrading of titaniferous material containing silica, including pretreating the titaniferous material by alkaline leaching to precipitate the silica as an aluminosilicate which is amenable to further leaching. Subsequently, the pretreated titaniferous material is leached under acid conditions, causing the silica to enter solution under conditions such that the silica is not hydrolysed or precipitated as a silicate.

Abstract: The application discloses a process for upgrading a titaniferous material by removal of impurities contained in the material especially radionuclides. The process involves heating the titaniferous material to a temperature of less than 1300° C. to form a solid titaniferous phase and a liquid oxide or glassy phase in the presence of a material that promotes the formations of such phases, cooling the product at a rate that maintains the glassy phase in an amorphous state and leaching the solidified material with an acid or an alkali to remove the impurities. Materials that promote the formation of the desired phases include compounds of alkali metals and boron. Examples include borax, caustic soda, soda ash and silica.

Abstract: The application discloses a process for upgrading a titaniferous material by removal of impurities contained in the material especially radionuclides. The process involves heating the titaniferous material to a temperature of less than 1300° C. to form a solid titaniferous phase and a liquid oxide or glassy phase in the presence of a material that promotes the formations of such phases, cooling the product at a rate that maintains the glassy phase in an amorphous state and leaching the solidified material with an acid or an alkali to remove the impurities. Materials that promote the formation of the desired phases include compounds of alkali metals and boron. Examples include borax, caustic soda, soda ash and silica.

Abstract: A process for forming an aqueous chloride leachant from a spent aqueous chloride leach liquor which process comprises passing a spent aqueous chloride leach liquor and gases containing hydrogen chloride through a preconcentrator to form a concentrated aqueous chloride leach liquor by partial evaporation of water therefrom and absorption of hydrogen chloride; withdrawing a portion of the concentrated aqueous chloride leach liquor; roasting the remainder of the concentrated aqueous chloride leach liquor to generate a metal oxide, and gases containing hydrogen chloride; and passing the gases containing hydrogen chloride to the preconcentrator.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a titaniferous material that has been subjected to thermal reduction and which includes a titaniferous phase of general formula M.sub.3 O.sub.5. The thermally reduced titaniferous material is subjected to a secondary heat treatment to covert the M.sub.3 O.sub.5 phase to a more readily leachable M.sub.2 O.sub.3 phase. This material is then cooled and leached in an aqueous acid solution containing hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and the leachate is separated from the titaniferous material to form a purified titaniferous material.

Abstract: A process for producing a zirconia beating opacifier is disclosed. The process comprising the steps of: (I) heat treatment of a zirconia bearing material comprising heating the zirconia bearing material in the presence of an additive to form a heat modified product having one or more phases which, when incorporated in a glaze and the glaze fired, exhibit opacifying characteristics; and (ii) cooling the heat modified product to produce a product which can be used for imparting opacity.

Abstract: The process for converting a copper sulphide matte to blister copper, is achieved by adding the copper sulphide matte and flux to a suitable agitated slag phase; and injecting, from a discharge tip at the lower end of a top-submerged lance, an oxidizing gas suitable for reacting with the matte to produce blister copper which forms or adds to a continuous blister copper phase below the slag phase. The lance tip is located within the slag phase at a depth enabling the injected gas to agitate the slag phase, and to react with copper sulphide matte dispersed therein, while precluding a substantial proportion of the gas from contacting the continuous blister copper phase.