The smelting of sulphidic ores produces a partially oxidized metal concentrate (matte). In smelting, the worthless material, usually iron, forms a slag with fluxing material and is converted into the oxide.
The valuable metals acquire the metallic form at the converting stage, which takes place in converting furnaces. This method is used in copper and nickel production. Iron, ferrochromium, lead, magnesium and ferrous compounds are produced by reduction of the ore with charcoal and a flux (limestone), the smelting process usually taking place in an electric furnace.
Fused salt electrolysis, used in aluminum production, is another example of a pyrometallurgical process(Manager, n.d.).
Refining is the final procedure for removing (and often recovering as by-products) the last small amounts of impurities left after the major extraction steps have been completed. It leaves the major metallic element in a practically pure state for commercial application. The procedure is accomplished in three ways: refining by fire, by electrolytic, or by chemical methods(Metallurgy – Refining, Alloying, Smelting | Britannica, n.d.).
Reference:
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Manager, I. C. (n.d.). Smelting and Refining. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.iloencyclopaedia.org/part-xiii-12343/metal-processing-and-metal-working-industry/item/668-smelting-and-refining
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Metallurgy—Refining, Alloying, Smelting | Britannica. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/science/metallurgy/Refining
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