Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for the preparation of a carbon-containing material including: (i) a binder phase containing organic resin component or polymer composite; (ii) mesophase carbon; and (iii) optionally filler particles. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a carbon-containing material including the steps of: (a) mixing a binder phase containing an organic resin component or polymer composite with mesophase carbon and optionally filler particles; (b) curing the mixture; and (c) heating the cured mixture. The invention also provides an article which is wholly or partly manufactured from the carbon-containing material defined above.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for extracting copper and any one or more than one of zinc, silver and gold from a sulphide ore or concentrate is disclosed. The process includes a range of mineral species that contain copper and one or more than one of zinc, silver and gold, which process includes two or more than two leach steps using each liquors of different composition, each leach step selectively leaching one or more than one metal from the minerals. The process also includes separating a solid residue and an exit leach liquor after each leach step, leaching the solid residue produced in each leach step in a successive leach step, and recovering metal from the exit leach liquor produced in each leach step.

Abstract: An electrolytic reduction cell for production of a metal includes an outer steel shell, a layer of insulating material adjacent the outer steel shell and a carbonaceous layer overlaying the insulating material and protecting the insulating material from an electrolytic bath to be contained in the cell. The carbonaceous layer includes at least one carbonaceous cathode block having an upper surface and a lower surface, with a plurality of electrical contact plugs being mounted in electrical contact with the lower surface of the cathode block. A collector plate is in electrical contact with the electrical contact plugs. The electrical contact plugs are distributed over the lower surface of the cathode block such that in operation of the cell, a substantially isopotential surface is achieved at the top surface of the cathode block.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing carbon-containing materials resistant to alkali metal disruption, and compositions suitable for the preparation of carbon-containing materials resistant to alkali metal disruption. A composition in accordance with the invention comprises a mixture of (a) a binder phase having a viscosity of less than 10 Pascal seconds and a char yield in excess of 20% upon heating to a temperature of 800.degree.-1200.degree. C., and comprising at least one polymerizable resin and (b) particles of a solid material which is thermally stable at a temperature of 800.degree.-1200.degree. C., the particles having a granulometry wherein void spaces between the particles have a size of less than 20 .mu.m in diameter and the particles are coated with a layer of binder phase having a thickness of less than 2 .mu.m. When the composition is carbonized by heating to a temperature of 800.degree.-1200.degree. C., the composition forms a carbon-containing material resistant to alkali metal disruption.

Abstract: An electrolytic reduction cell for the production of metal is provided, in which liquid metal is deposited at or adjacent an upper surface of a cathode. The electrolytic reduction cell includes an anode structure and a cathode located beneath the anode structure, wherein an upper portion of the cathode comprises an aggregate of particles sized and shaped such that in operation of the cell liquid metal is present in at least an upper part of the aggregate and a slurry of liquid metal and particles is established, the slurry comprising a substantially uniform dispersion of the particles in a continuous liquid phase of the liquid metal, the slurry having a viscosity sufficiently high such that under operating conditions of the cell the slurry is relatively immobile. Methods for the production of a metal by electrolysis in the electrolytic cell are also provided.