A hydrometallurgical process for the removal of arsenic and antimony from a so-called dirty copper concentrate (101) is described. The process comprises the following steps: Step 1: repulping (100) the dirty copper concentrate with an alkaline lixiviant (102, 103), and subjecting the dirty copper concentrate to an alkaline leaching process (the Leach) in a Leach reactor (110). The arsenic and antimony are dissolved in the Leach to produce a clean copper concentrate (138) and leach discharge liquor (132). Step 2: subjecting the Leach discharge liquor (132) to a lime treatment step (151) in order to regenerate (150) the alkaline lixiviant as well as precipitate an impurity rich precipitate (161) containing arsenic and antimony. Then the impurity rich precipitate (161) is separated (160) from the regenerated alkaline lixiviant (162). The impurity rich precipitate is washed and disposed of in an environmentally safe condition. Step 3: recycling the regenerated alkaline lixiviant (162) to the Leach in Step 1, and so employing the recycled alkaline lixiviant (102) in the further extraction of arsenic and antimony from incoming dirty copper concentrate (101).

A hydrometallurgical process for the removal of arsenic and antimony from a so-called dirty copper concentrate (101) is described. The process comprises the following steps: Step 1: repulping (100) the dirty copper concentrate with an alkaline lixiviant (102, 103), and subjecting the dirty copper concentrate to an alkaline leaching process (the Leach) in a Leach reactor (110). The arsenic and antimony are dissolved in the Leach to produce a clean copper concentrate (138) and leach discharge liquor (132). Step 2: subjecting the Leach discharge liquor (132) to a lime treatment step (151) in order to regenerate (150) the alkaline lixiviant as well as precipitate an impurity rich precipitate (161) containing arsenic and antimony. Then the impurity rich precipitate (161) is separated (160) from the regenerated alkaline lixiviant (162). The impurity rich precipitate is washed and disposed of in an environmentally safe condition. Step 3: recycling the regenerated alkaline lixiviant (162) to the Leach in Step 1, and so employing the recycled alkaline lixiviant (102) in the further extraction of arsenic and antimony from incoming dirty copper concentrate (101).

The present invention relates to a method of treating lead anode slime having high fluorine and arsenic content, in particular to a method comprising smelting of the lead anode slime and cleaning the produced off gases in a one or more wet gas cleaning stages.

The present invention relates to a method of treating lead anode slime having high fluorine and arsenic content, in particular to a method comprising smelting of the lead anode slime and cleaning the produced off gases in a one or more wet gas cleaning stages.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal oxide containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursor and an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to a temperature at which reactions that result in the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal oxide containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursor and an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to a temperature at which reactions that result in the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal oxide containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursor and an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to a temperature at which reactions that result in the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal oxide containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursor and an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to a temperature at which reactions that result in the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.