A computer simulation has been carried out to predict the distribution beha
viour of minor elements, such as Pb, Zn, Bi, Sb and As, between the gas and
molten phases in copper smelting (steady-state), converting (batch) and co
mbined smelting + converting systems in which tonnage oxygen is used. The c
urrent industry trend, especially in the new and emerging processes, is to
the use of greater oxygen enrichment. The predicted minor-element behaviour
at the high degrees of oxygen enrichment was compared with that at 42 and
21% oxygen enrichment. The simulation generally predicted high elimination
of minor elements by slagging, low elimination by volatilization and low to
tal elimination at a high oxygen potential. At high oxygen partial pressure
lead, antimony and zinc are removed mostly by slagging, which makes the us
e of a high oxygen potential beneficial when the dust is recycled to the sm
elting furnace. The overall elimination (smelting + converting) of bismuth
and arsenic can be affected greatly by the level of oxygen enrichment, foll
owed, in decreasing order, by that of antimony and lead, but the eliminatio
n of zinc is Little affected by it. In general, the elimination of minor el
ements occurs primarily during smelting and secondarily in the first stage
of converting.