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A brand new process of blister copper production from copper matte and concentrates in the two-zone Vaniukov converter has been developed at the Gipronickel Institute facility. Thermodynamic analysis of exchange interaction has been performed for the ‘slag melt-metal phase formed in the over-the-lance area of the Vaniukov converter reduction zone’ system and for ‘slag melt-bottom phase of blister copper located in the bottom (under-the-lance) area of the Vaniukov converter’ system. Based on the thermodynamic analysis data, the original design of the two-zone Vaniukov converter has been proven to be able to create conditions ensuring production of blister copper of higher quality, as compared to the one-zone Vaniukov converter process, copper concentration in slag being substantially lower.

Gipronickel Institute is developing a brand new process of Kempirsay Deposit’ nickel oxide ore treatment to ferronickel based on Vaniukov Furnace smelting technology. Results of the extended laboratory scale tests using the pilot Vaniukov two-zone Furnace are presented. It is demonstrated that treatment of relatively poor nickel oxide ore (Ni, 1·05 mass-%) according to the abovementioned technology can result in production of high grade ferronickel (Ni⩾20%) at high nickel recovery (>90%). Technological peculiarities of the processes taking place in the furnace’ smelting and reduction areas are considered. L’Institut Gipronickel est en train de developper un procede entierement nouveau pour le traitement du minerai d’oxyde de nickel en ferronickel du depot de Kempirsay, base sur la technologie de fonte du four Vaniukov. On presente les resultats des essais approfondis a l’echelle du laboratoire utilisant le four pilote Vaniukov a deux zones. On demontre que le traitement de minerai d’oxyde de nickel a tene...