The invention is directed to a process for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal, wherein the liquefied metal-containing slag is heated in at least one electric arc furnace (1, 2). In order provide an improved method for recovering especially copper from slags, the invention provides that the metal-containing slag is heated in a first furnace (1) constructed as an AC electric furnace or a DC electric furnace, and the melt is introduced from the first furnace (1) into a second furnace (2) which is constructed as a DC electric furnace. Further, the invention is directed to an arrangement for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal.

A DC arc furnace 10 comprises a vessel 12 comprising a roof 14, a base 16 and a sidewall 18. The vessel defines a chamber 20 for a body of material having an upper surface 44. An anode electrode 24 and a cathode electrode 26 extend parallel to one another and terminate a distance d from the upper surface. The anode and cathode are located on a first horizontal line 28 and define a gap between them. A first conductor 36 links a positive pole 32 to the anode and a second conductor 38 links a negative pole to the cathode. The first conductor comprises a first section 36.1 extending continuously underneath the base parallel to the first line, so that current flows in the first section in a direction A directly opposite to current flow B through the body of material between the anode and the cathode.