Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies (2008-2013)

This project brings together the university research team and a consortium of major mineral companies in a comprehensive collaborative program to address a series of complex technical issues associated with step change improvements in the high temperature production of copper metal. We aim to use state-of-the-art experimental techniques to provide new fundamental information on the chemistries of complex oxide systems required by the industry, and to develop advanced thermodynamic and process models that will enable the outcomes of reactions to be predicted by the industry partners for a wide range of process conditions and chemistries, independent of process technology.''