Satbayev University, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan:

S. M. Kozhakhmetov, Principal Researcher, e-mail: entc-sultan@mail.ru
S. A. Kvyatkovskiy, Head of the Laboratory
A. S. Semenova, Lead Engineer

Zh. Abishev Chemical-Metallurgical Institute, Karaganda, Republic of Kazakhstan:
A. S. Baysanov, Head of the Laboratory

This paper describes an experimental study that looked at pyrometallurgical processing of high-silicon concentrates produced by the Jezkazgan Concentrator Plant in combination with high-sulphur copper sulphide concentrates from the Aktogay deposit. Additional components included converter slag and concentrate produced after flotation of cool converter slag from the Balkhash Smelter. A blend of the Aktogay and Jezkazgan concentrates mixed to the ratio of 1:2.6 was smelted in a laboratory environment at the temperature of 1,400 ^oC together with the additions of converter slag and converter slag concentrate. The study demonstrated the effect of the gas phase on the distribution of copper, iron and sulphur between the products. In an oxidation environment, mattes containing 51.9–56.6% of copper were obtained due to a high desulphurization degree of sulphide burden and partial conversion of iron into molten slag. In a reduction environment, typical of the smelting process adopted by the Jezkazgan Copper Smelter, the concentration of copper in mattes was 48.7–50.3%. The melting and conductivity temperatures of the produced slags were determined that would meet the smelting specification. The authors also demonstrate the possibility to produce mattes containing 49–50% of copper (which is in line with the bessemerizing specification adopted by the Jezkazgan Copper Smelter), as well as slags with low metal concentrations. The process of combined smelting of copper-rich low- and high-sulphur concentrates described in this paper can now be tested in the production environment of the Jezkazgan Copper Smelter.
This research study was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the Grant no. АР05130400.

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