Process for the refining of sulfidic concentrates which contain arsenic, antimony and bismuth

A process for the refining of sulfidic concentrates which contain at least one element selected from the group consisting of arsenic, antimony and bismuth, wherein a suspension of a sulfidic concentrate and at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen and oxygen-enriched air is introduced into the upper part of a reaction zone, in the lower part of which the direction of the gases is deflected sidewards in order to cause molten and solid particles traveling along with the gases to impinge against the surface of the melt below the reaction zone, comprising introducing, in order to form a molten or semi-solid phase, the concentrate, the gas into the reaction zone in such proportions that in the upper part of the reaction zone there is produced an atmosphere containing sulfur and sulfur dioxide and having a temperature above 1200.degree. C. and a maximum oxygen pressure of 10.sup.-6 atm in order to volatilize arsenic, antimony or bismuth, and that during the same stage at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen and oxygen-enriched air is fed into the lower part of the reaction zone in order to oxidize the concentrate to the desired metal concentration.