Abstract: A plant for metallurgical treatments, in particular for melting or melt-reducing metals, metal compounds and/or metal alloys, or for producing calcium carbide, comprises a shaft receiving a burden, a melt collecting space disposed laterally of, and below, the shaft, as well as at least one burner arranged laterally of the shaft. In order to enable the accurate process control of the metal melt and the controlled smelting of the burden, the burner is arranged in a combustion space connecting the lower shaft end with the melt collecting space and designed as a plasma burner. The combustion space is located at a level above the melt collecting space and including a combustion space bottom, which is plane, or preferably rises, relative to the shaft and enters into the melt collecting space by an overflow edge that separates the metal melt from the burden.

Abstract: Method for melting or melt reducing chemical mixtures at temperatures which exceed the melting temperatures of highly-refractory linings. The method requires the steps of pressing the chemical mixture into bars and arranging the bars to form a cavern having a defined geometry. The cavern surrounds a centrally located high energy density radiation source. The portion of the bar facing the radiation source melts at a certain melting rate. The cavern geometry is maintained by radially advancing the bars toward the radiation source at the same rate as the melting rate.

Abstract: A method of recovering copper from oxidic and/or silicate copper ores by way of pyrometallurgy. With this method, the copper ores are melted in a reaction zone heated by plasma jets and maintained at a temperature of at least 1,500.degree. C. At this high temperature, the thermal decomposition of the oxidic or silicate copper compounds occurs, whereas no such decomposition of accompanying metal oxides takes place. The furnace used to perform this method includes a refractory lining of carbonless material. The reaction furnace and, thus, the reaction zone are sealed relative to the atmosphere to prevent oxygen from entering thereinto. An inert gas is used as plasma gas.