(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME
(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME
(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME
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2.3. <strong>Base</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> <strong>Smelting</strong> Processes 25<br />
The technical processes involved in <strong>the</strong> extraction and refining of base metals<br />
generally proceed as follows in <strong>the</strong> following diagram. Site-specific flow sheets<br />
and process descriptions <strong>for</strong> existing facilities can be found in section 3.2.<br />
The key metal recovery technologies that are used to produce refined metals<br />
are 26 :<br />
• Pyrometallurgical technologies use heat to separate desired metals<br />
from unwanted materials. These processes exploit <strong>the</strong> differences<br />
between constituent oxidation potential, melting point, vapour pressure,<br />
density, and/or miscibility when melted.<br />
• Hydrometallurgical technologies use differences between constituent’s<br />
solubility and/or electrochemical properties while in aqueous acid<br />
solutions to separate desired metals from unwanted materials; and<br />
• Vapo-metallurgical technologies apply to <strong>the</strong> Inco Carbonyl Process<br />
whereby nickel alloys are treated with carbon monoxide gas to <strong>for</strong>m<br />
nickel carbonyl.<br />
25 Environment Canada, Draft Environmental Code of Practice <strong>for</strong> <strong>Base</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Smelters and<br />
Refineries, First Edition, Partial Draft prepared <strong>for</strong> multi-stakeholder consultations, Revision<br />
March 4, 2002, Tabled at: Second National Consultation on <strong>the</strong> Environmental Per<strong>for</strong>mance of<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Base</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> <strong>Smelting</strong> <strong>Sector</strong>, Ottawa, Ontario, March 7 & 8, 2002<br />
26 Environment Canada, Strategic Options <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Management of Toxic Substances from <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Base</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> <strong>Smelting</strong> <strong>Sector</strong> - Report of <strong>the</strong> Stakeholder Consultations, June 23, 1997. URL:<br />
http://www.ec.gc.ca/sop/en/index.cfm?actn=s1<br />
11