The Role of the Electric Arc Furnace in Utilizing Some Strategic Off-Grade Ores

Abstract

A dry-top, arc-resistance, electric smelting technique for recovering strategic nmtals from off-grade ores is described. Advantages of using a bulky form of reductant such as hogged wood waste in the furnace charge are pointed out. Smelting test data on nickel ores, a siliceous manganese ore, off-grade chromite concentrates, a fine grained chromite ore, and aluminmn silicates are presented. The relationship between a theoretical smelting efficiency and slag-to-metal ratio is shown. The possibility of applying this drytop, arc-resistance, electric smelting technique to other ores is indicated.