Effect of Slag Properties on Copper Loss in Copper Slag

Decreasing copper content in slag is a critical prerequisite for increasing the direct yield of copper during the smelting process. Theoretical analyses combined with experiments were adopted to investigate the effect of slag properties on copper loss in slag. The parameters causing copper loss in the bottom blowing smelting slag were determined first, and then, the parameters (temperature, CaO, SiO2 and reductant dosage) were adjusted to improve the slag properties. Results have indicated that reasonable control of the above parameters can effectively decrease magnetite content, thereby reducing the copper content in slag. Furthermore, matte separation from slag has been investigated in detail during the reduction process.