Abstract: A metal composition includes from 90.10% wt up to 97% wt of copper, at least 0.1% wt of nickel, at least 0.0001% wt and less than 1.00% wt of iron, and 250-3000 ppm wt of oxygen. The composition is suitable for being processed by a process including the electrorefining of copper in an electrolytic cell, wherein the voltage difference over the cell is maintained at less than 1.6 volt, the anode comprises at most 98.0% wt of copper and less than 1.00% wt of iron, the current density through the cell is at least 180 A/m2 of cathode surface, electrolyte is removed from the cell during the operation at an average refreshing rate of 30-1900% per hour, by overflow of a stream of electrolyte over a cell wall, and a gas is bubbled through the electrolyte in between anode and cathode. The composition is even more suitable after a reduction of its oxygen content.

Abstract: A process for copper production comprising electrorefining of copper in an electrolytic cell, wherein the voltage difference over the cell is maintained at less than 1.6 volt, the anode comprises at most 98.0% wt of copper and less than 1.00% wt of iron, the current density through the cell is at least 180 A/m2 of cathode surface, electrolyte is removed from the cell during the operation at an average refreshing rate of 30-1900% per hour, by overflow of a first stream of electrolyte over a cell wall, and a gas is introduced into the cell and bubbled through the electrolyte in between anode and cathode. Further disclosed is a liquid molten metal composition suitable for copper anode electrorefining comprising at least 90.10% wt and at most 97% wt of copper, at least 0.1% wt of nickel, at least 0.0001% wt and less than 1.00% wt of iron, and 250-3000 ppm wt of oxygen.