Abstract: A method of operating a top submerged lance furnace, and more particularly but not exclusively to a method of coating an end of a lance of a top submerged lance furnace with a slag layer, as well as a method of maintaining a uniform heat distribution about the periphery of the lance of the top submerged lance furnace. In terms of the method, the lance is caused to rotate, and a fluid is passed through the lance before it is inserted into the molten material bath inside the crucible.

Abstract: A method for the pyrometallurgical processing of a sulphide material containing copper, the sulphide containing relatively high quantities of silica and relatively low quantities of iron, wherein the process comprises feeding the sulphide material to a TSL furnace operated under oxidising conditions such that the sulphide material forms blister copper containing between 1.2 and 1.5 wt % sulphur and a slag containing between 7 and 13 wt % copper.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for preventing egress of a gas from a first opening of a vessel, the vessel including at least one other opening through which the gas can leave the vessel, the arrangement comprising an open passage (48) extending substantially around the first opening, the open passage (48) receiving a flow of gas such that the flow of gas leaves the open passage and flows towards and into the vessel to cause a gas from the environment external to the vessel to be drawn into the vessel. The arrangement may comprise a Coanda surface. The arrangement may be in the form of an inert for placement in the opening to the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating a top submerged lance furnace, and more particularly but not exclusively to a method of coating an end of a lance of a top submerged lance furnace with a slag layer, as well as a method of maintaining a uniform heat distribution about the periphery of the lance of the top submerged lance furnace. In terms of the method, the lance is caused to rotate, and a fluid is passed through the lance before it is inserted into the molten material bath inside the crucible.

Abstract: A method for the pyrometallurgical processing of a sulphide material containing copper, the sulphide containing relatively high quantities of silica and relatively low quantities of iron, wherein the process comprises feeding the sulphide material to a TSL furnace operated under oxidising conditions such that the sulphide material forms blister copper containing between 1.2 and 1.5 wt % sulphur and a slag containing between 7 and 13 wt % copper.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for preventing egress of a gas from a first opening of a vessel, the vessel including at least one other opening through which the gas can leave the vessel, the arrangement comprising an open passage (48) extending substantially around the first opening, the open passage (48) receiving a flow of gas such that the flow of gas leaves the open passage and flows towards and into the vessel to cause a gas from the environment external to the vessel to be drawn into the vessel. The arrangement may comprise a Coanda surface. The arrangement may be in the form of an inert for placement in the opening to the furnace.

Abstract: A method for the pyrometallurgical processing of sulphide material containing nickel using a fluxing composition that includes calcium. The fluxing composition forms a slag having an Fe/CaO ratio of between about 0.5 and 5.0 by weight and an SiO2/Fe ratio of less than 0.2 by weight.

Abstract: A method for the pyrometallurgical processing of sulphide material containing nickel using a fluxing composition that includes calcium. The fluxing composition forms a slag having an Fe/CaO ratio of between about 0.5 and 5.0 by weight and an SiO2/Fe ratio of less than 0.2 by weight.