Process for the reduction of complex metallic ores

摘要

A process for the beneficiation and reduction of complex metallic ores characterized by the step of first preheating a complex ore containing a plurality of metal oxides in a reducing gas atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to reduce at least one oxide of a metal having a lower affinity for oxygen than at least another metal oxide present, separating the reduced metal from the oxides of the unreduced metal, and treating the remaining unreduced metal oxides in an arc heater in a reducing gas atmosphere to reduce said other metal oxides to elemental form.