Refining and Smelting: Separating Row material ores from Pure Gold
During the process of Gold Mining, the two key processes stand out properly well, smelting and refining. These two are one of the ancient and continually evolving techniques even the modern days. Responsible for turning raw ores in pure gold, the functional metals that empowers every thing from smartphones to skyscrapers
One of our common services that we provide is Smelting. To all clients that come in with there gold or those that buy from Jesa minerals. Find out more on Gold Smelting.
What is meant by the term Smelting?
Smelting refers to the process of extracting metals from its ores by using heat and chemical reducing agent. Most of the ores mixed with coke or other carbon rich substances plus heat in a furnace where the metals separate from its ore as a molten liquid. The separated molten metal is then poured off, cooled and then sent for further purification.
The key Features of Smelting
It involves a reduction which is the removal of oxygen and other elements from ore
It produces a relatively impure metal known as bullion or matte.
It operates at a high temperature,
What is meant By Refining
Besides smelting that brings us closer to pure metal, refining is the process that polishes the product to nearly perfection. During this process, its when the last traces of impurities an unwanted metal, producing metals of high quality.
Different Refining Methods depending on the type of Metal and its intended use.
- Chemical refining: Uses specific chemicals to react with impurities, separating them the base metal
- Thermal Refining: it contains further heating to separate components based on the different melting points
- Electrolytic Refining: this involves using an electric current to dissolve impure metal and deposit pure metal onto the cathode.
Smelting Vs Refining: What is the difference between the two
| Aspect | Smelting | Refining |
| Method | Heat+ reducing agents | Chemical, electrochemical or Heat based |
| Out Put | Impure metal | High purity metal |
| Purpose | Extract metal from ore | Purity extracted metal |
| By-products | Slag, gases | Dross, gases, waste acids |
Why are these processes Useful
Precious metal are hedges for backbone of modern infrastructure, transportation, electronics and even medicine. The following are the uses for these processes (refining and smelting)
Environmental damage would be more greater due to impure waste.
Resource extraction would be wasteful
Manufacturing would halt.
Modern Innovations in refining and smelting aim at:
Increasing metal recovery from lower grade ores
Enhance recyclability and sustainability
Reduce Emissions
Improve Energy Efficiency.
In Conclusion
Right from ancient days up to today, the process of smelting and refining still remains important. In addition they transform power of human ingenuity. The turning of raw earth into refined power houses that shapes the modern world. This goes to all that are desiring to start investing in precious metals, that these two processes are very important.
FAQs
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