World Copper Production at a Glance - FEECO International Inc.
Copper can be refined by one of two approaches: pyrometallurgy or hydrometallurgy. Pyrometallurgical Copper Refining. The pyrometallurgical approach, often referred to as smelting, is the primary method used for refining copper. In this process, used for sulphide ores, copper concentrates are thermally treated in a smelter and then refined into ...