Recirculation of high arsenic content copper smelting dust to smelting and converting processes

Flue dusts generated in Chilean copper smelters are partly recycled to smelting units, such as flash smelters and Teniente Converters, and partly processed separately by hydrometallurgical methods, in order to recover copper and stabilize arsenic in the waste. Flue dust generation is increasing due to increasing copper production and arsenic content in the copper concentrates, thus creating environmental problems. Additionally, the flue dusts contain associated metals, such as zinc and lead, which can be potentially recovered. Tests on concentrate smelting and matte converting, with various additions of flue dust, allowed the determination of the distribution coefficients of arsenic, zinc and lead among the products, and, as a result of flue dust addition, oxygen enrichment and temperature. The distribution coefficients permit determination of impurities in blister copper, which affect the quality of cathodic copper produced.