As part of a fundamental study of copper smelting processes using oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as a blowing gas, phase equilibrium and distribution of minor elements between copper matte and SiO 2 -saturated FeO X -SiO 2 -MgO-based slag containing 5 to 10 wt pct MgO have been investigated at 1573 K under the SO 2 partial pressures of 10.1, 50.7, and 101.3 kPa. The copper and sulfur solubilities in the slag were found to be independent of p SO 2 when the matte grade was specified, and this behavior was ascribed to the constancy of ( p O 2 /p S 2 ) against p SO 2 at a given matte grade. When the distribution ratio of a minor element (X) between the slag and matte phases was defined as L s/m x ϭ (wt pct X in slag)/{wt pct X in matter}, L s/m x for arsenic, antimony, and bismuth at a given matte grade increased with increasing p SO 2 . On the other hand, the distribution ratio of silver at a given matte grade was almost constant against p SO 2 .