Affiliation:
1. Saint Petersburg Mining University
2. Open Joint Stock Company Gipronickel Institute
Abstract
In this work, we analyse and structure the information on the distribution of noble metals during pyrometallurgical processing of copper-sulphide and copper-nickel concentrates, available in domestic and foreign scientific sources. The data on the influence of oxygen partial pressure in the system and, consequently, the matte composition, process temperature, and the phase composition of slag on the distribution of platinum group metals, gold, and silver between the smelting products were analysed. Broad-ranging information on the distribution of the examined metals between matte and slag in the processing of copper-sulphide and copper-nickel concentrates was studied. It was established that the distribution of noble metals between the products of smelting using modern analytical methods is still in its early stages. Contradictory information on the behaviour of gold, silver, and platinum group metals during the pyrometallurgical processing of copper-sulphide and copper-nickel concentrates is presented in literature due to the variations in the experimental procedures, preparation, and analysis of test samples, and, as a result, further interpretation of the obtained results. Furthermore, no data on the influence of such technological parameters as magnetite content in the slag phase, the relationship between copper and nickel in the initial furnace charge and obtained mattes on the distribution of gold, silver, and platinum group metals between the products of smelting are available. In addition, no information on the distribution of noble metals during the pyrometallurgical slags depletion obtained in oxidative smelting of copper-nickel production has been published. Thus, it was decided to perform further research on establishing optimal technological conditions for oxidising smelting of copper-sulphide and copper-nickel concentrates, as well as pyrometallurgical depletion of slags, allowing for the highest extraction rates of noble metals into the target product.
Publisher
Irkutsk National Research Technical University
Reference38 articles.
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