The Lead Smelting & Refining Plant at the Ahangaran Mining & Industrial Complex is one of the key facilities within Sormak Mines Company's integrated mineral processing value chain. The plant has been designed to produce refined lead ingots from both sulfide and oxide lead concentrates through advanced smelting and refining technologies, delivering high-purity lead products for a wide range of industrial applications.

Through the development of proprietary direct smelting technology, Sormak has successfully established a process capable of treating lead concentrates while significantly reducing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions compared with conventional smelting methods. In addition, dedicated recovery circuits have been implemented to reclaim valuable lead from furnace slag and baghouse dust, improving overall metal recovery while minimizing process losses and environmental impact.

Smelting & Refining Process

The process begins with the preparation of lead concentrates, which are fed into the smelting furnace under carefully controlled operating conditions. The concentrates are smelted to produce molten lead, while slag is separated from the metal phase.

The molten lead is then transferred to the refining unit, where purification is carried out through a series of controlled metallurgical operations. During refining, process temperature and reagent addition are carefully controlled to remove impurities such as arsenic, antimony, and other undesirable elements. Where economically viable, valuable accompanying metals can also be recovered during the refining process.

Following quality control and final composition verification, the refined molten lead is cast into standard molds to produce high-quality lead ingots that meet industrial and commercial specifications.

Technologies

The Lead Smelting & Refining Plant incorporates a range of advanced technologies designed to maximize recovery, improve product quality, and minimize environmental impact, including:

• Direct smelting of sulfide and oxide lead concentrates
• Multi-stage refining for high-purity lead production
• Recovery of valuable lead from furnace slag and baghouse dust
• Precise control of process temperature and operating conditions
• Advanced emission control and environmental protection systems

Plant Advantages

• Production of high-purity lead ingots
• Direct treatment of both sulfide and oxide lead concentrates
• Reduced sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions compared with conventional smelting technologies
• Recovery of valuable metals from slag and process dust
• Improved metal recovery and reduced process losses
• Lower energy consumption through optimized process design
• Complete integration of the value chain from concentrate to refined lead ingots
• Production tailored to the requirements of both domestic industries and international markets