Abstract: A novel process for refining high or low impurity blister copper containing S, As, Sb, Pb, Ni, Bi, Se, and/or Te to anode quality by means of a solution containing sulphates and alkali oxides is provided. More specifically, the process comprises the steps of (1) injecting air/O2 gas mixtures in the presence of an alkali source, over a period of time sufficient to complete the sulphur removal stage, with the innovation of removing the SO2 in situ, thereby forming an effective amount of a molten alkali sulphate on top of the copper bath, the temperature in the bath being maintained between 1100-1300° C.; (2) adding and/or injecting molten or solid alkali sulphates together with basic oxides or carbonates into the copper bath to promote the in situ scrubbing of As and Sb into a solution containing sulphates, while the dissolved oxygen in copper increases from 0.1 to 0.

Abstract: A process for refining a crude material for copper or copper alloy which contains as impurity elements at least one species of Pb, Ni, Sb, S, Bi, and As in combination with at least one species of Sn, Fe, and Zn, which comprises the sequential steps of (1) melting a crude material for copper or copper alloy, (2a) increasing the oxygen concentration in the melt, thereby oxidizing Sn, Fe, and Zn into slag, (this step is carried out if the crude material contains as impurity elements at least one species of Sn, Fe, and Zn) (2b) adding to the melt at least one species selected from the group consisting of Fe, Fe oxide, Mn, and Mn oxide, thereby causing Pb, Ni, Sb, S, Bi, and As in the melt to slag in the form of compound oxide of Fe and/or Mn, (3) removing the thus formed slag from the melt, and (4) subjecting the melt to reduction.