Abstract: In a copper refinery including smelting, converting and electrolytic refining steps, feed material containing copper and contaminated with iron and one or more impurity metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, antimony, and tin is refined in a process in which the impurity metals are separated from the copper prior to the main electrolytic refining step, into a converter slag product that is subsequently smelted to form anodes which are electrolyzed in a portion of the main copper refinery electrolyte.In another embodiment, oxidic (e.g. roasted) copper and copper-nickel concentrates are individually smelted to form anodes which are electrolyzed in separate cells between which electrolyte is cycled to maintain a balance of dissolved copper.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing blister copper from calcined copper-iron concentrates wherein the calcine containing copper ferrite is mixed with particulate carbonaceous reducing agent and charged into a rotary furnace, slag-forming ingredients being also added to slag off iron oxide. The charge is heated to a smelting temperature above the melting point of copper by directing a combusting stream of oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel axially into the rotatable furnace while causing said charge to cascade by rotating the furnace, the ratio of oxygen to the fuel being sufficient to effect substantially complete combustion and provide excess oxygen. Following reduction of the copper to molten blister copper, it is separated from the slag for further purification treatment, the slag being further treated when necessary to recover contained copper therefrom.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing blister copper from calcined copper-iron sulfide concentrates wherein the calcine containing copper ferrite is mixed with particulate carbonaceous reducing agent and charged into a smelting furnace, slag-forming ingredients being also added to slag off iron oxide. The charge, in the form of a shallow bed, is smelted by applying heat whereby the temperature is raised to above the melting point of copper, the copper oxide being selectively reduced to form blister copper, the iron oxide being reduced to form substantial amounts of ferrous oxide, the iron oxide combining with SiO.sub.2 present in the charge to form a slag and assure a low-iron copper product. Following reduction of the copper to molten blister copper, it is separated from the slag for further purification treatment, the slag being further treated when necessary to recover contained copper therefrom.