A Review on Pyrometallurgical Extraction of Antimony from Primary Resources: Current Practices and Evolving Processes

Antimony is classified as a critical/strategic metal. Its primary production predominated by China via pyrometallurgical routes such volatilization roasting—reduction smelting or direct reduction smelting. The performance of most the pyro-processes very sensitive to concentrate type and grade. Therefore, technology selection for greenfield plant significant delicate task maximize recovery rate antimony subsequently precious metals (PMs), mainly gold, from concentrates. current paper reviews conventional processes technologies that have been practiced treatment blast furnace commonly used technology, because its adaptability different feeds grades high rate. In addition, several other more environmentally friendly routes, were recently developed, are reviewed but these still at laboratory- pilot-scales. For example, decarbonization through replacement carbonaceous reductants with hydrogen seems be feasible, although process infancy, further research development necessary commercialization. At end, available refining methods removal important impurities including arsenic, sulfur, lead, iron, copper crude discussed.