PROCESS TO CONVERT NON-FERROUS METAL SUCH AS COPPER OR NICKEL BY OXYGEN ENRICHMENT

摘要

A process for converting a copper or nickel matte comprising a substantial weight amount of an iron based material. During a first step of the process substantially all of the iron based material is oxidized with an oxygen comprising gas to make ferrous oxide which is thereafter transformed into sl ag by addition of a solid material to the molten metal. Thereafter, in a second step of the process, the copper based material is oxidized with said oxygen comprising gas to generate substantially pure copper and residues. The oxyge n comprising gas is injected through an internal injector of a concentric shrouded tuyere. A shrouding substantially inert gas is injected through the gas passage between the internal and external injector.