PRODUCTION OF COBALT FROM COBALT SULFIDE

摘要

A pyrometallurgical process for producing cobalt metal from a sulfidic cobalt melt containing up to, 35% sulfur while inhibiting the formation of substantial amounts of cobalt oxide is provided. The method comprises contacting such a molten bath maintained in a state of vigorous agitation and at a temperature at least 100.degree.C above the melting point thereof with an oxygen-containing gas to remove sulfur therefrom as SO2, while controlling the partial pressure of oxygen in said gas and the temperature of said bath as the percent sulfur in said bath decreases to inhibit the oxidation of cobalt to cobalt oxide.