How to Remove Arsenic, Antimony & Bismuth from Copper
The ores of copper are usually associated with minerals containing arsenic, antimony and bismuth. Whatever the means adopted for extracting the copper, these metals are usually found, to a greater or less extent, in the product. There is, however, usually some elimination in the various metallurgical operations to which the ores are subjected, and some attempt is made here to determine the degree to which this elimination is effected.
The degree, as well as the cause, of the elimination varies considerably with the amount of impurity in the material under treatment, and the results given here can only be taken as conclusive in the case of such materials as have come under the writer’s observation. The conclusions have, however, been drawn from the study of large quantities of materials that may be considered as fairly typical.
How to Remove Antimony & Bismuth from Copper
Removal of arsenic, antimony and bismuth from copper may take place in the smelting operations by scorification, volatilization, or, under special treatment, by processes of concentration. Owing to the great variety of materials that are treated in economical metallurgy, it is rarely possible to obtain