Pig iron and spherical silica-based proppant are extracted and produced through the use of formers, fluxes, reductants, and stabilizers, at predetermined specified weight ratios. The base material utilized in this process is slag, typically derived from the mining industry. The slag is delivered and utilized in a manner that allows the adding and mixing of the various materials such as, but not limited to, carbon, calcium oxide, sodium oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, and potassium oxide. The formulated mixture is then heated for a predetermined period of time, based upon weight to a liquid state, wherein the molten pig iron is separated from the molten silica glass. The molten pig iron is then poured into molds, and the molten silica glass is atomized into spherical proppant. The process is particularly well suited to slags produced from copper smelting, but can be extended to slags from other commodities and industries.

Pig iron and spherical silica-based proppant are extracted and produced through the use of formers, fluxes, reductants, and stabilizers, at predetermined specified weight ratios. The base material utilized in this process is slag, typically derived from the mining industry. The slag is delivered and utilized in a manner that allows the adding and mixing of the various materials such as, but not limited to, carbon, calcium oxide, sodium oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, and potassium oxide. The formulated mixture is then heated for a predetermined period of time, based upon weight to a liquid state, wherein the molten pig iron is separated from the molten silica glass. The molten pig iron is then poured into molds, and the molten silica glass is atomized into spherical proppant. The process is particularly well suited to slags produced from copper smelting, but can be extended to slags from other commodities and industries.